Man United coach Carrick sorry to fans for 'unacceptable' UCL loss at Como

Manchester United's struggling start to the season hit a new low on Wednesday with a 4-1 thrashing at Italian upstarts Como in the Champions League, to pile further pressure on coach Michael Carrick.

The under-fire United coach had said that Sunday's purposeful point at rivals Leeds marked a "fresh start" after Lisandro Martínez highlighted the club's shortcomings in a set of stunning interviews last week.

But, looking to end a run of six games without a win, Carrick's side got off to the worst possible start in the idyllic surroundings on the shores of Lake Como, when Nico Paz scored inside two minutes. The goal meant that United became the first English club in Champions League history to concede a goal in the first two minutes in back-to-back matches, following last week's loss to Atlético Madrid.

Further goals from Anastasios Douvikas, Paz again and Jacobo Ramón in the second half had the three-time winners set to match their worst ever loss in the history of Europe's premier competition before Joshua Zirkzee grabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time.

It is still just the sixth ever loss by three-plus goals in Manchester United's Champions League history and the first since April 2019 against Barcelona in the quarterfinals.

In contrast to Man United's rich pedigree in the competition, Como, coached by former Arsenal and Barcelona great Cesc Fabregas, are taking part in a European competition for the first time in their 119-year history.

Wednesday's victory meant Como become the first Italian club to win their first two home games in the Champions League since Lazio in 1999-2000.

Paz has been auditioning to take over Lionel Messi's playmaker spot with Argentina and his performance against United was a case in point.

At the tiny 10,000-seat Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium, Paz put Como ahead with a curling shot from the edge of the area when Harry Maguire allowed him some space.

Douvikas then took a pass from Paz before lobbing in over goalkeeper Senne Lammens for his third goal in three Champions League matches.

For Como's third, Paz went in virtually uncontested before shooting around Lammens. Center back Jacobo Ramón scored Como's fourth.

Despite Zirkzee's late goal off the bench, United have won only one of their last 11 Champions League away matches.

Como moved up to sixth in the standings, while United dropped to 20th.

Information from ESPN Research, The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.