Como 4-1 Man United: Untouchable Paz leaves Carrick on the edge

Nico Paz announced himself on Europe’s biggest stage as his brace condemned Michael Carrick’s side to a chastening 4-1 loss in northern Italy.

The Red Devils arrived in Como searching for their first win in six matches but will leave having suffered their heaviest defeat under Carrick, whose future sits on a knife edge.

The United manager ignored his players as he went to apologise to the few remaining away fans at full-time.

Cesc Fàbregas' side were sensational, with a Nico Paz double and goals from Anastasios Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon securing the biggest victory in Como's history during their debut Champions League season.

Nico Paz, touted as one of the best young players in Europe, set the game alight after just two minutes with his third goal of the season.

Da Cunha played the ball to the Argentinian, who jinked onto his left on the edge of the box and curled a stinging shot into the far corner.

Maguire was unhappy with Cunha, who had been tracking Paz’s run, but could have done more to close down the shot himself.

Interplay between Du Cunha and Baturina almost led to a Como second, but the latter was denied as Maguire managed to get a toe on the ball at full stretch.

Douvikas fired high and wide after being played into the box by Yan Couto and could have had a penalty soon after, after being felled by Lammens, whose blushes were spared by the offside flag.

United struggled to get a foothold in the first half, failing to record a shot on target, with Bruno and Tielemans unable to influence the game as split false 9s.

The decision to play Tielemans higher than Mount, Mbuemo and Cunha was particularly ill-thought-out.

Cunha spent most of the half defending deep and was never put in a position to use his quality before being hooked at half-time, along with Andrey Santos, who had been given the run around by Paz.

The changes were to no avail as just three minutes into the second half Como scored a second.

The Italians cut through United's midfield, with Paz once again at the heart of the move as he slid a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Douvikas, who swept home without breaking stride.

A third came soon after: Paz picked Baleba’s pocket on the right-hand touchline near the half way line and powered into the box before opening his body and passing the ball beyond Lammens.

Como completed the rout in the 76th minute as centre-back Jacobo Ramon headed home substitute Kaiki Bruno’s cross at the back post.

Joshua Zirkzee bagged a consolation goal for the visitors in added time.

Nico Paz was head and shoulders above anyone on the pitch.

The heir to Messi as Argentina’s number 10, Paz combines grace, power and speed like a left-footed Zidane or Kaka and was too hot to handle for United.

Real Madrid will undoubtedly trigger their buyback clause for the attacking midfielder in the summer if he continues to perform at this level.

United host Bournemouth on Sunday in the Premier League in a must-win game for Michael Carrick, if he is still in the job.

They will look to return to winning ways in the Champions League against Roma in two weeks.

Como’s next game in the competition is away at Lens as they look to continue their strong start in their first European campaign.