According to a report by Flashscore on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Manchester United had a disappointing first half against Como in their UEFA Champions League clash, conceding an early goal to Nico Paz in the second minute following an assist from Lucas Da Cunha. The early setback put the visitors under pressure and raised questions about Michael Carrick's tactical decisions, particularly his team's inability to control the midfield and create clear goalscoring chances.

One of the key concerns was Carrick's choice of midfield combination. Manchester United struggled to strike the right balance between defensive protection and attacking creativity, allowing Como to find spaces and dictate the tempo in the middle of the pitch. The visitors found it difficult to disrupt their opponents' passing patterns and establish dominance.

Carrick needed a midfield setup that could shield the defence while supporting the attacking players effectively. Como's early breakthrough exposed United's weaknesses and forced them to chase the game from the opening minutes. This made the manager's tactical decisions even more important as his team attempted to recover from the setback.

Another decision that attracted criticism was Carrick's choice to leave Amad Diallo on the bench. The Ivorian winger possesses the pace, dribbling skills and creativity needed to trouble defenders. With United struggling to make meaningful contributions in the final third, his introduction could have provided the attacking spark required to challenge Como's defensive structure.

Starting Amad on the right wing might have given Manchester United an additional attacking outlet. His ability to beat opponents, create space and deliver dangerous passes could have helped the visitors become more threatening in the attacking areas. However, United struggled to produce consistent attacking movements throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Carrick's decision to deploy Bruno Fernandes on the flank instead of his preferred central attacking midfield position was another questionable tactical choice. The Portuguese captain is one of Manchester United's most influential creative players, possessing the vision, passing ability and technical quality needed to unlock stubborn defences.

Playing Fernandes out wide appeared to restrict his involvement in central areas, where he could have linked the midfield with the attack more effectively. Positioning him behind the striker might have improved United's attacking transitions and increased their chances of creating clear-cut opportunities.

The manager also needed to ensure that his players maintained greater defensive discipline and concentration. Although Como's early goal cannot be attributed solely to Carrick's decisions, conceding in the second minute placed Manchester United in a difficult situation and exposed the importance of beginning the match with a stronger defensive structure.

Overall, Carrick's decision to leave Amad Diallo on the bench and position Bruno Fernandes on the wing raised questions about his tactical approach against Como. Manchester United struggled to control the game and create meaningful chances before halftime, leaving the manager with important decisions to make ahead of the second half. Adjusting his formation and making effective substitutions could have helped the visitors improve their attacking threat and produce a stronger performance.