Manchester United have not won a match since 10 September. Can Michael Carrick end that run on the shores of Lake Como? His side visit Como at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia tonight, Wednesday 21 October, in the third round of the Champions League league phase, with kick-off at 7:45pm Makkah time (6:45pm in Italy).
The touchline adds a story of its own. Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder who won the 2010 World Cup with Spain, has guided Como from promotion to Serie A all the way to Europe's top club competition. Facing him is Carrick, who played in the same Premier League era and lifted the Champions League with United in 2008, but who now coaches a team under heavy pressure.
United's recent record explains why. They are winless in six games in all competitions: a 1-0 defeat by Manchester City, a 3-2 loss to Brighton, 1-1 draws with Fulham and Tottenham, a 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid and another 1-1 draw at Leeds. Their last victory was the 4-0 win over Sabah on the opening night of this Champions League campaign.
Como arrive in better spirits after a 3-1 win at Fiorentina in Serie A. In Europe, Fabregas's side beat RB Leipzig 4-1 before losing 3-2 at Feyenoord, so both clubs start the night on three points.
Both coaches have selection problems. Como are without Assane Diao, who has a thigh injury, and Jesus Rodriguez, who faces a long lay-off, while Trevoh Chalobah and Moise Kean need late fitness checks. United cannot pick Leny Yoro, suspended after his red card in Madrid, and are also missing Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko, with Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven all doubts.
There is no history to lean on. The clubs have never met in a competitive match, and this is Como's first game against English opposition. United, by contrast, have been beaten just twice in their last 16 meetings with Italian clubs, winning ten of them.
