Como Beat Manchester United 4-1 as Nico Paz Runs the Game

Como beat Manchester United 4-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Nico Paz scoring twice and setting up another in a night that turned the pressure on United manager Michael Carrick up to full.

Paz put Como ahead in the second minute at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, shifting the ball onto his left foot and curling it past Senne Lammens. It made United the first English team ever to concede in the opening two minutes of consecutive European matches, after Pablo Barrios scored for Atletico Madrid after 49 seconds against them on Oct 13.

United never recovered. Como controlled the first half and went in only 1-0 up, a scoreline the visitors were lucky to carry into the break, per USA Today's live report.

The second half rout

Four minutes after the restart, Paz played in Anastasios Douvikas, and the Greek striker finished with confidence for 2-0. In the 57th minute Paz did it himself, robbing Carlos Baleba of the ball, carrying it into the box and finishing at the far post for his second goal and a hand in three of Como's four.

Jacobo Ramon headed in the fourth in the 76th minute, from close range after a cross, with no pressure on either the cross or the header. Joshua Zirkzee scored a late consolation in the 91st minute, set up by Amad Diallo and confirmed after a VAR check for offside.

Late match figures told the story of control: Como held 56 percent of possession and put nine shots on target to United's three, even though both sides had 12 attempts in total.

Why it matters

For Como, this is a statement win in their first Champions League campaign run. They had already beaten RB Leipzig 4-1 at home in September, and they beat Fiorentina 3-1 in Serie A on Sunday. A 4-1 win over Manchester United, with a 22 year old Argentine running the game, puts their name in every conversation about this season's league phase.

For United, the numbers around the result are grim. They have just two wins across all competitions this season, sit 13th in the Premier League, and are already out of the EFL Cup. They came into this match with no wins in their last six games. Captain Bruno Fernandes, played at centre forward with Benjamin Sesko injured, was taken off in the 67th minute with United 3-0 down and shook his head as he left the pitch. His replacement, Zirkzee, scored the consolation.

Carrick said before the match that he did not need reassurance from the club. After a defeat this heavy, against a side playing its first season at this level, the question will be asked again before Sunday's game against Bournemouth, which now looks decisive for his position.

Key numbers

• 2 minutes: time of Paz's opener, a second straight European game in which United conceded inside two minutes
• 2 goals, 1 assist: Paz's night, scoring in the 2nd and 57th minutes and setting up Douvikas in the 49th
• 76 minutes: Ramon's header for 4-0
• 91 minutes: Zirkzee's consolation, United's only goal
• 13th: United's place in the Premier League, with two wins all season in all competitions