Manchester United Faces Injury Crisis Ahead of Champions League Match Against Como
Michael Carrick's squad travels to Italy seeking a vital victory to turn around their difficult season following a draw at Leeds United.
Manchester United travels to Italy to face Como at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Wednesday for their third match of the Champions League league phase. Manager Michael Carrick is attempting to guide his team out of a difficult stretch that recently extended to a six-game winless run following a 1-1 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.
The hard-fought draw in West Yorkshire provided some relief for Carrick after consecutive losses, including a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in Europe. Despite the turbulent domestic form, Carrick described the performance at Leeds as a potential fresh start for the squad, which is currently searching for only its third victory of the season.
The English powerhouse faces significant roster challenges ahead of Wednesday's fixture, with as many as eight senior players potentially sidelined due to injuries and suspensions. Defender Leny Yoro is suspended following his red card against Atletico Madrid, while key players such as Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Benjamin Sesko, and Patrick Dorgu remain unavailable. Additional doubts surround the fitness of Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven, and Noussair Mazraoui.
On the opposing side, Como enters the fixture aiming to continue its impressive European campaign under the management of Cesc Fabregas. The Italian side opened its Champions League schedule with a resounding 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig before suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat against Feyenoord. In domestic play, Como climbed to fifth place in Serie A following a 3-1 win over Fiorentina.
Fabregas acknowledged the magnitude of the upcoming fixture, describing the encounter with Manchester United as a dream come true for the club. However, the hosts also contend with their own offensive absences, as Moise Kean and Assane Diao are expected to miss the match. Despite these challenges, Como has emerged as a formidable opponent on home soil.
Manchester United's recent historical record in away matches in the competition remains a major hurdle, having secured only one victory in their previous 10 Champions League away fixtures since November 2021. With defensive resources heavily depleted, Carrick may look to players like Harry Maguire and a returning Matthijs de Ligt to anchor the backline against Fabregas's side.
Kickoff at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. British Summer Time. As the Red Devils look to avoid falling deeper into a domestic and European slump, a positive result in Italy could provide the momentum necessary to salvage their campaign.