Things go from bad to worse at Manchester United as their 'fresh start' under Michael Carrick began with a disastrous 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Como.

In the pouring rain, United capitulated under the pressure put on by Cesc Fabregas' young guns and they were behind inside two minutes in what was the start of a very long evening. 

Anastasios Douvikas got himself on the scoresheet, teed up by man of the match Nico Paz, who scored twice, before Jacobo Ramon compounded United's misery with a fourth.

By the time Joshua Zirkzee held his run to stay onside to score a consolation in stoppage time, there was barely a flicker of a smile by anyone in United white.

At that stage many of United's wounded supporters had long left, furious at a performance that suggests this United group are only heading in one direction and that's backwards. 

Daily Mail Sport's NATHAN SALT gives his verdict on a truly hapless Manchester United performance in Italy...

Manchester United (4-2-3-1)

Senne Lammens – 4

What is he meant to do when those in front of him are so hopeless? The defence was about as solid as a house of cards in the tiniest bit of wind. Genuinely hopeless and as long as that continues, Lammens is on a hiding to nothing.

Diogo Dalot – 3

Wasted a golden opportunity after a deflection fell at his feet in the box, shooting a whisker wide of the post, and that was costly when Como scored less than a minute later. Works hard and was willing at right back, where he started, and left back, where he went at half time. Some at United feel like Dalot is unfairly criticised when the chips are down but he was miles away from the required quality here.

Matthijs de Ligt – 3

His first United appearance in 325 days and there was so much hope that the Dutchman could pick up where he left off. The positive is that he came through it unscathed and that is a huge positive from a personal point of view. By the time he went off, it was a disastrous night for United and De Ligt was far from blameless having lost sight of Douvikas before stumbling as Como made it 2-0.

Harry Maguire – 4

Made a super last-ditch sliding challenge to deny a second goal but it would all prove in vain. Maguire called out the team for not showing enough bravery away to Leeds and this as a response was disastrous. He was the best of the back-line but that's not saying much. Looks one of very few who can actually handle the pressure and navigate the storm now.

Noussair Mazraoui – 3

Got ran ragged at both left back, where he started, and at right back, where he played in the second half. It was Mazraoui who was at fault for Leeds' equaliser at the weekend and his press to close out in the lead up to Como's second goal was dreadfully poor. Looked like a rabbit in headlights by the time Kaiki, who had the freedom of Como so far away was Mazraoui, crossed in for Como's fourth.

Mason Mount – 3

Has won this competition and has plenty of experience at the level but looked way short of the necessary quality required as this youthful Como team made him look painfully average. Constantly came out second best when it came to key duels.

Andrey Santos – 4

Found himself completely overrun in the middle of the park – he wasn't alone in that – and was hooked at half-time after a rash slide to bring down Nico Paz brought a yellow card. Never got close to getting up to the speed of the game. Fact it was only 1-0 when he went off goes in his favour.

Bryan Mbeumo – 4

Has looked best at centre forward and so, naturally, he was deployed wide off the right, a position he doesn't ever seem to thrive in as holding width isn't his strong suit. Made a couple of smart runs but chances were at a premium and he was marginalised with ease.

Youri Tielemans – 4

Keeps starting matches but this one was one where it was easy to forget he was playing. Felt totally anonymous.

Matheus Cunha – 3

Totally anonymous. Had one touch in the Como box, didn't create a single chance, and had just one shot off target before he was hooked at half-time alongside Santos. Been in and out of the side of late and this didn't do anything to improve his odds of more starts.

Bruno Fernandes – 4

Shook his head as he was taken off just after an hour into this one-sided contest but the truth is his performances have been way below the levels he has previously shown he can reach and he could have few complaints at coming off. This false-nine experiment they have used in the past two games isn't yielding successful results.

MANAGER: Michael Carrick – 2

Spoke about a 'fresh start' after the draw at Leeds United and then saw his side get totally dominated by a quicker, hungrier and better coached team. This was alarming mostly because United never looked at any point like getting a goal, never mind a positive result.

SUBS

Amad (for Matheus Cunha, 46) – 6

The brightest player in a United shirt. Looked to actually make stuff happen, and it was his ball in to Zirkzee that led to the late consolation. 

Carlos Baleba (for Andrey Santos, 46) – 5

Catastrophic error to concede possession to Nico Paz as he broke to score a third. Did at least add some physicality that is severely lacking in this team. United cannot start matches going forward without him. 

Joshua Zirkzee (for Bruno Fernandes, 67)

Scored in what was basically the only positive on a sobering night.  Ended his drought.

Harry Amass (for Matthijs de Ligt, 79) 

Shea Lacey (for Bryan Mbeumo, 86) 

Como 1907 (4-2-3-1)

Butez 6; Couto 7, Ramon 7, Kempf 6, Valle 6; Milla 7, Perrone 8; Da Cunha 7, Paz 9 (Ricci 80), Baturina 7 (Caqueret 64, 7); Douvikas 8

Goal: Paz (2, 57), Douvikas (49), Ramon (76)

Manager: Cesc Fabregas 8