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Cesc Fàbregas’s men recorded an impressive 3-1 away victory over Fiorentina at the weekend, which propelled them into fifth place in the Serie A table.
A return of 14 points from their opening seven league fixtures suggests Como are on track to produce a similar performance to last season, which saw the club qualify for a major European competition for the first time in its 119-year history.
It’s a maiden continental adventure that started extremely well, thanks to a 4-1 drubbing of Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig. Wednesday’s narrow loss to Feyenoord was a reminder of just how challenging the Champions League can be, but Como will still have taken plenty of encouragement from a decent performance in Rotterdam.
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In stark contrast, Manchester United are struggling to find positives amidst yet another turbulent period at Old Trafford. The Red Devils currently sit in the bottom half of the Premier League following a 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday afternoon, having already been dumped out of the EFL Cup by in-form Brighton.
There was at least some fight shown at Elland Road, a quality that was sadly lacking during last week’s visit to the Spanish capital. United’s sobering 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid was compounded by some explosive post-match comments from Lisandro Martínez, who bemoaned the club’s lacklustre summer recruitment as part of a scathing attack on Technical Director Jason Wilcox.
Michael Carrick has only celebrated three wins since being appointed Manchester United boss on a permanent basis, the latest of which being a convincing 4-0 triumph over Champions League debutants Sabah FK. Facing mounting criticism following a succession of poor results, a victory on the banks of Lake Como would provide a much-needed boost for the ex-England international.
TNT Sports is providing exclusive live coverage from Lombardy at the beginning of a busy Wednesday night of Champions League action.
Como vs Manchester United: Key information
Date: Wednesday, October 21st
Kick-off: 17:45 (BST)
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como
Referee: Sven Jablonski
VAR: Christian Dingert
TV Channels/Live stream: TNT Sports 2, HBO Max
Odds: Como: 13/10 - Draw: 13/5 - Manchester United: 19/10
Odds provided by bet365
Como team news
Having damaged his tibia during the recent international break, Moise Kean remains sidelined. Cesc Fàbregas was critical of the way his injury was handled by the national team’s medical staff, suggesting that the on-loan striker sustained the issue against Belgium and therefore shouldn’t have played in Italy’s subsequent 1-1 draw with France.
Como’s attack is further weakened by the absence of Assane Diao, who won’t be available for at least another fortnight. The Senegalese winger strained his thigh while scoring the opener last Wednesday night, resulting in him being substituted midway through the first half.
Trevoh Chalobah could also be out after picking up a knock in Florence on Sunday, but the severity of his ailment is yet to become clear. The English defender has virtually been an ever-present for his new club since arriving from Chelsea, so he’ll undoubtedly be given every chance to prove his fitness ahead of Wednesday’s crucial encounter.
Robert Sánchez also left Stamford Bridge to join Como in the summer, albeit on a temporary deal. However, unlike his former teammate, the much-maligned goalkeeper hasn’t consistently featured in Fàbregas’s starting XI. Although it was conceded in unfortunate circumstances, the giant Spaniard’s own goal against Feyenoord certainly won’t have helped his battle to displace first-choice stopper Jean Butez.
Como predicted lineup vs Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Cesc Fàbregas
Jean Butez (GK); Ivan Smolčić, Marc-Oliver Kempf, Jacobo Ramón, Álex Valle; Luis Milla, Máximo Perrone; Mattia Liberali, Nico Paz, Maxence Caqueret; Anastasios Douvikas
Manchester United team news
As if things weren’t tough enough for the beleaguered Manchester United boss, Michael Carrick is unable to call upon the services of several key first-team players.
There is no fixed return date for Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško, who is once again struggling with the shin problem that brought a premature end to his 2025/26 campaign. Patrick Dorgu is experiencing similar frustrations, after reactivating the hamstring injury he fell victim to last season.
There’s a question mark over whether Kobbie Mainoo will be fit enough to feature, while the same could be said of Luke Shaw. Both players are nursing undisclosed issues, which caused them to miss the trip to Madrid and Sunday’s stalemate in West Yorkshire.
Despite the above, Carrick’s biggest selection headache is at the back.
Although a hefty fine and a semi-apologetic statement paved the way for Lisandro Martínez to line up against Leeds, the Argentinian was withdrawn at half-time due to a thigh complaint. Meanwhile, Leny Yoro is serving a one-match suspension after receiving a straight red card for hauling down Atlético Madrid forward Jonathan David as he looked to race clear on goal. Matthijs de Ligt was an unused substitute in each of Manchester United’s last two fixtures, but is unlikely to start following almost a year on the treatment table with a serious back injury.
That may result in Ayden Heaven – who reportedly was too ill to make the bench at Elland Road – being drafted into central defence, eight days on from deputising as a full-back at the Metropolitano. Fortunately, Noussair Mazraoui is able to cover the right-hand flank, having only just recovered from a short stint on the treatment table.
Manuel Ugarte tore his anterior cruciate ligament at the World Cup and is therefore a long-term absentee, while reserve goalkeeper Tom Heaton is out with a pulled hamstring.
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Como (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Michael Carrick
Senne Lammens (GK); Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, Diogo Dalot; Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba; Bruno Fernandes, Youri Tielemans, Amad Diallo; Bryan Mbeumo
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
This is the last season in which TNT Sports will show the Champions League, as Paramount acquires the main broadcasting rights ahead of the 2027/28 campaign. However, TNT Sports customers can continue to tune into all three major European competitions until June.
As this fixture has been scheduled into one of matchday three’s four teatime slots, the build-up for Como vs. Manchester United commences at the earlier time of 17:00 (BST). The match will be screened on TNT Sports 2, while online viewers can follow events at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia by logging into the HBO Max streaming platform.
Head-to-head record
Manchester United haven’t lost any of their last six Champions League contests on Italian soil, a sequence that stretches back almost two decades.
United’s most recent away defeat to Serie A opposition in Europe’s most prestigious club competition came in May 2007, when they faced seven-time winners AC Milan in the semi-finals. After netting a brace in the opening leg, Brazilian playmaker Kaká broke the deadlock at the San Siro before further goals from Clarence Seedorf and Alberto Gilardino ensured the hosts claimed a 5-3 aggregate triumph.
The last Italian team to win each of their opening two home Champions League fixtures was Lazio, who achieved this feat thanks to victories over Dynamo Kyiv and Maribor at the Stadio Olimpico in September 1999. This long-standing record will change if Como can beat the 20-time Premier League champions on Wednesday, having already secured three points in Lombardy on matchday one.
Although now facing each other as managerial adversaries, Cesc Fàbregas and Michael Carrick were direct opponents on the pitch on numerous occasions. Carrick arguably won the midfield battle when the pair met during the latter stages of the 2008/09 Champions League campaign, as Manchester United beat Arsenal in both legs to secure a place in the final.
Como vs Manchester United: Match odds
Manchester United: 19/10 (bet365)
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change. All odds provided by bet365.
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