Carrick's United collapse at Como, winless in seven matches

Manchester United lost 4-1 away to Como in the Champions League. Manager Michael Carrick described himself as "furious" after the match. Captain Bruno Fernandes openly criticised the game plan.

The Red Devils are having their worst start to a season in Premier League history. The team has gone seven matches without a win in all competitions. Carrick's contract had been extended to 2028 after the successful run at the end of last season, and exactly five months have passed since that day.

The unrest inside the club is not limited to Fernandes. Last week, Lisandro Martinez said the squad had not been strengthened enough in the summer transfer window, targeting the club's management, and in particular Jason Wilcox, described as the manager. United spent 163 million pounds over the summer. That figure was behind newly promoted Hull City and Ipswich Town, as well as seven Premier League clubs. The midfield was reinforced, while the left back and centre forward positions received no additions.

The biggest problem on the pitch is tempo. United ran less than their opponents in six of their first seven Premier League matches. The only exception was the match in which Manchester City played with ten men for more than an hour. Youri Tielemans hinting that the running load in pre-season was light added a new dimension to the debate. Carrick summed up the situation: "If you don't run back, you can't win."