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Peter Schmeichel has targeted Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt for criticism while launching a blistering attack on the Manchester United squad following their mortifying 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como. Michael Carrick's team found themselves trailing 3-0 before the hour mark as their European woes deepened with a second consecutive loss. Substitute Joshua Zirkzee netted a late consolation for the Red Devils, who were comprehensively outclassed during a woeful evening in northern Italy.
Disillusioned travelling supporters began departing the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium in the second period, with only 100 of the 700 away fans still in their seats by the end. After the final whistle, Carrick headed directly towards the away section with his palms spread wide in what seemed like an apologetic gesture to the travelling faithful.
The United manager walked past his squad without any acknowledgement before disappearing down the tunnel. "It was more than disappointing," Carrick stated afterwards. "I think everybody has got to take responsibility for that. I 100 per cent take responsibility for the overall team and the performance. "That's where it stops - it stops with me and I'm absolutely fine with that. I accept that totally."
Meanwhile, Schmeichel aimed his ire at two players specifically, Mazraoui and De Ligt. The Dutch defender began the fixture in what marked his comeback to the starting line-up after nearly 12 months sidelined with injury. "We line-up in the Champions League - don't forget how happy I was on this programme that we were back in the Champions League, I couldn't wait to follow this team - and today, we line-up with De Light centre-half," Schmeichel remarked on CBS Sports.
"He hasn't played a minute since November last season. He's on the bench against Leeds for the first time, I don't know how much he's trained. And it shows. You've got Mazraoui there who played left-back to begin with. Obviously, something wasn't working, so they put him out at right-back, and I heard Michael correctly point him out on the second goal; his positioning, all of that, is simply not good enough. I don't know how long it's going to take, and what it's going to take to correct it, but not good enough."
Reflecting on the broader display, the former Reds shot-stopper voiced his exasperation at United's absence of bravery and determination, suggesting the squad appeared daunted by the occasion. The Dane added: "I'm thinking back four years from where we were. If it only takes four years to correct this Manchester United team, then there is something positive in this.
"But their performance today has simply not been good enough. They look like a team where every individual feels under pressure, has lost their guts, not brave enough to take the game onto Como, and of course, again, conceding a goal within the first two minutes."
Schmeichel continued: "And it simply is not good enough. Absolutely not what I expected, but definitely something I feared. It's not been great. I was at Leeds on Sunday, we came away with a respectable draw. And, of course, doing this kind of job where you have to analyse it after. You have to find - as a Manchester United supporter - something positive to say. And I said there was a little bit of fight in that Manchester United team that day in Leeds.
"But it wasn't a great game. It wasn't like Manchester United had chances. The only good thing - a little bit of progress - was in that game against Leeds, they scored in the first-half for the second time. There are goals in the team in the first-half. But all in all, it's just very frustrating to watch."
Meanwhile, former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov told TNT Sports: "After a performance like this, probably - people will raise the same questions like every time. Are they the right players that can compete for United at the highest stage, is that the right manager, are we going in the right way?
"Of course after games like this, everybody will say no - we need more players, better players. And what can you say after a performance like this? Of course I used to play for the team I can defend them and the manager, I played with Michael.
"I agree with Joe [Cole] on his comment about giving Michael more time but when a defeat comes with a game like this today, it will be even more difficult to find arguments to say 'look everybody's giving their best' because today I don't think everybody was giving their best. ". "It didn't look like that on the pitch. It felt like it was men against kids."
United have now suffered back-to-back losses in their first three Champions League fixtures, with Sunday's Premier League encounter against Bournemouth at Old Trafford potentially proving crucial in shaping Carrick's future at the club.
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