Como 1907 vs Manchester United: Can United spoil historic night for Como?

Manchester United will look to return to winning ways on Wednesday as they face Cesc Fabregas’ Como in the Champions League. 

The Red Devils are winless in six games in all competitions since beating Sabah on September 10 and will face a tough test at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium against the side who sit fifth in Serie A.

Como beat RB Leipzig 4-1 in the club’s first ever Champions League game last month, but were beaten 3-2 by Feyenoord in Matchweek two.

The results leave Como in 17th in the league phase, ahead of United on goal difference. 

The Blue and Whites will take confidence from a 3-1 win away to Fiorentia on the weekend with goals from Mattia Liberali, Anastasios Douvikas and star man Nico Paz. 

After their meteoric rise from the Italian lower leagues, this will be the first time Como have faced English opposition.

Speaking about the challenges that the club faces due to its rapid rise, Fabregas said: “"When you grow very, very fast on the pitch, of course, off the pitch there’s also many, many things that need to be improved and to be talked about, analysed, et cetera.

"For example, tomorrow, we maybe have to go with 15 players. That’s all we’ve got, because we don’t have an academy, over the last few years, that allows us to provide the certain quality that you need to play in Champions League nights."

Michael Carrick is under huge pressure after a string of poor results to start the season. 

United also sit on three points in the Champions League after beating Sabah 4-0, but losing 2-0 to Atletico Madrid last week. 

The Red Devils sit 13th in the Premier League with just one win in seven, they will take cautious confidence from Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Leeds United.

Carrick praised his opposite number ahead of the game: "I have huge respect for what Cesc has done - how quickly they have risen to the heights and doing so well in the league last season. As a coach, with the way the team is playing, it is quite clear he has some good ideas. He has created a really, really good team,” he said.

Team News:

For Como, familiar faces Trevoh Chalobah and Moise Kean will face late fitness tests, while winger Assane Diao will miss out with a thigh injury.

Star men Douvikas and Argentinian wonderkid Nico Paz will be available, with the former looking to add to his five goals this season. 

United’s injury list makes for grim reading. 

Manuel Ugarte, Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford are all expected to miss the game. 

Lenny Yoro is suspended after his straight red against Atletico last week and Lisandro Martinez is also out having come off at half-time against Leeds with a thigh injury.

These injuries in the defensive department mean Matthijs De Light, returning from a serious back injury, is likely to make his first appearance in over a year. 

Predicted Line-Ups: 

Como: Butez; Couto, Chalobah, Ramon, Valle; Milla, Da Cunha; J Rodriguez, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas

Manchester United: Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, De Ligt, Dalot; Tielemans, Baleba; Amad, Fernandes, Mbeumo; Cunha. 

Prediction:

Como 2-1 Manchester United.

Carrick will be desperate for a win but faces a tough test in northern Italy. 

United have not won away from home in the Champions League for five years, and they will need to show resilience and grit to end that run despite their extensive injury problems.

A Como staff member told the BBC it is “without doubt the biggest night in the club’s history”, and the Italian's will be buoyed by the occasion.