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Manchester United visit the idyllic site of Como’s Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, aiming to end a six-game winless run on Matchday 3 of the Champions League.
Another tough week for Michael Carrick concluded with some respite, as the Man Utd manager proclaimed his side’s valiant draw at Leeds United marks a “fresh start” for his turbulent outfit.
A 1–1 draw at Elland Road, given their previous two results post-international break, was hardly a bad outcome for the Red Devils. However, Carrick is desperately searching for just his third victory of the season, having inspired the club back into the Champions League with an excellent showing as interim boss during the second half of 2025–26.
As it stands, United risk losing another season. They’re in a state of drift, and things aren’t getting easier. After losing to Atlético Madrid last week, United can ill-afford their domestic slump spilling into Europe.
Como’s highs of Matchday 1 were certainly euphoric, as their Champions League debut ended in an emphatic victory over RB Leipzig. However, Cesc Fàbregas‘s side was brought back down to earth at Feyenoord last time out.
In Serie A, which Fàbregas asserts is the club’s priority, Como moved up to fifth after beating the struggling Fiorentina 3–1 on Sunday.
Como are competing with Europe’s elite “five years ahead of schedule,” according to the manager, who has also described the upcoming encounter with Man Utd as a “dream come true” for the burgeoning Italian club.
Fàbregas’s performance by the famous lake has turned heads, and if Como are to perform with the slickness and verve that defined their triumph over Leipzig, United‘s woes will continue.
Carrick at least ensured they were harder to play against at the weekend, yet it remains to be seen whether their gritty draw in West Yorkshire was an anomalous showcase of resilience or, as the manager put it, the start of something new.
Prediction: Como 2–1 Man Utd
Fàbregas was able to offer a couple of players respite at the weekend, including Croatian playmaker Martin Baturina. The 23-year-old recovered from an illness during the international break and was an unused substitute in Florence on Sunday.
Baturina is expected to return to the starting lineup here, working in creative tandem with Nico Paz.
The hosts are somewhat hamstrung in attack, though, given that Moise Kean and Assane Diao are expected to miss out. Diao has scored in both of Como’s league phase outings, so his absence down the right will be keenly felt.
Fàbregas at least as Anastasios Douvikas to mitgate Kean’s injury.
Trevoh Chalobah is also a doubt for the hosts, but there’s an expectation that the former Chelsea man will be fit for Man Utd’s visit.
Como predicted lineup vs. Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Butez; Couto, Chalobah, Ramón, Valle; Milla, Da Cunha; J. Rodríguez, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.
Man Utd are in injury strife heading into Wednesday’s fixture, with their issues only worsening since their draw at Leeds.
Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw still haven’t trained with the Red Devils since they picked up knocks against Tottenham Hotspur 10 days ago, and the visitors are also without Benjamin Šeško and Patrick Dorgu.
Ayden Heaven and Lisandro Martínez weren’t involved in training ahead of the match, and there are doubts over Noussair Mazraoui’s status, too. Matthijs de Ligt is in contention to make his first appearance of the season, having finally recovered from a back injury that has sidelined him since last November. De Ligt could come in for the suspended Leny Yoro alongside Harry Maguire in defense.
Bryan Mbeumo should lead United‘s attack without Šeško, while Matheus Cunha could return to the fold. Youri Tielemans may earn some respite despite his impressive showing at the weekend, with Carlos Baleba’s legs needed in the middle of the park. The steady Andrey Santos is poised to sit alongside the Cameroonian in Como.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs. Como (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui; Santos, Baleba; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.
Country |
TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United States |
Paramount+, TUDN USA, UniMás, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App, ViX |
Canada |
DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada |
Mexico |
FOX One, FOX+ |
United Kingdom |