Manchester United lost 4-1 at Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, a result that leaves the club without a win in seven matches in all competitions and piles pressure on head coach Michael Carrick.
Nico Paz, the 22-year-old playmaker coached by Cesc Fabregas, scored twice and set up another goal. His curled left-footed opener set the tone inside the first half hour, and United never found an answer.
Paz runs the show
Como pressed high and moved the ball quickly, and United's midfield could not keep up. Fabregas, a World Cup winner as a player, set his side up to attack the space behind United's full-backs and it worked repeatedly.
United had a let-off just before half-time when an offside flag went up against Anastasios Douvikas after he was brought down in the box by goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Carrick made two changes at the break, sending on Amad Diallo and Carlos Baleba for Andrey Santos and Matheus Cunha. The game did not change.
Fernandes questions the plan
Carrick used Bruno Fernandes as a centre-forward, and the captain cut an isolated figure. Fernandes was substituted in the 67th minute and reacted with visible frustration.
After the match he said the instruction not to press man to man came from the coaching staff. Carrick responded that United had actually pressed man to man for part of the game and that players have to take responsibility, saying that if you do not run back you will not win.
Carrick apologised to the supporters who travelled to Italy and said his squad is hurting. He also insisted United have enough talent to recover.
A job under scrutiny
Carrick was given the job permanently in large part because he made Champions League football feel possible again. That campaign is now the source of the crisis. United have taken few points from a run of fixtures that looked manageable on paper.
Supporters' groups have started to turn. One travelling fan told BBC Sport that the defeat felt like the end of Carrick's time in charge, though the club has not commented on his position.
United return to domestic action this weekend with little room for another flat performance. The gap to the top four is already wide, and the Champions League table offers no comfort.