It’s Fabregas v Carrick as Como hosts United in the UCL.
Match Details
- Fixture: Como v Man Utd
- Date: Wednesday, October 21
- Competition: Champions League
- Venue: Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium, Como
- Kick-off: 17:45
- TV: TNT Sports 2, Virgin Media Two
Como v Man Utd Tips
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Man Utd need to start getting results. No wins in their last six matches (D3 L3) and just two wins from ten matches all season, one of those coming against Champions League minnows, Sabah, in a 2-0 victory, their only clean sheet so far this season. The Champions League on Wednesday once again offers the chance of some respite.
Under the canny stewardship of Cesc Fabregas, Como have not just gained promotion to Serie A in Italy but achieved a Champions League position in their first season back. They currently sit in fifth in the league following seven games (W4 D2 L1), scoring 12 goals and conceding seven. They have lost just two games this season (all comps), winning five and losing two. They have, though, kept just one clean sheet in those nine games.
Some stats
Como, nine games played this season, one clean sheet, in seven both teams have scored, and six have produced over 2.5 goals.
Man Utd – the equivalent numbers in ten games are one, six, and four.
Goalscorers
Como
With five goals in nine appearances, Tasos Douvikas is having a good campaign. Martin Baturina scored three in four games at the start of the season but has not scored in his last three starts. Assane Diao has scored four in his last six starts.
Man Utd
Bryan Mbeumo has started the season well with four goals in nine starts. Bruno Fernandes also has four goals from nine starts.
Marcus Rashford will be hoping to make his 50th Champions League appearance. He has scored 17 Champions League goals, which is a good tally.
Team News
Como
News is awaited on defenders Trevoh Chalobah and Yan Couto. Chalobah was substituted after 14 minutes on Sunday and Yan Couto “experienced discomfort” in the warm-up and took no part in the match. Assane Diao missed the match, but the feeling is that he will be okay for this game.
Man Utd
A red card last week against Atlético Madrid means that Leny Yoro is suspended for this game. News is awaited on Lisandro Martínez, who went off at half-time against Leeds on Sunday after picking up a knock on his thigh.
Kobbie Mainoo has now missed Man Utd’s last two matches with an undisclosed injury, although he was apparently “close” to making the Leeds match. His would be a welcome return. Luke Shaw could also return from an undisclosed injury, but Ayden Heaven has been suffering from an illness which makes a trip to Italy doubtful.
Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) remains sidelined, as is Benjamin Šeško, following a recurrence of a shin injury. Manuel Ugarte (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Predicted Lineups
Como XI (Predicted): Butez; Couto, Chalobah, Ramon, Valle; Milla, Da Cunha; J Rodriguez, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.
Man United XI (Predicted): Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Santos, Baleba; Amad, Tielemans, Fernandes; Mbeumo.
Further Notes
Last week’s loss to Atlético Madrid was United’s sixth defeat in their last nine Champions League matches (W1, D2), and they have registered just one win in their last ten away games in the Champions League (D3, L6).
Verdict
Como are playing well but, overall, Serie A is much weaker than the Premier League, so United should go to the picturesque Italian town with a lot of hope. Player for player, they are more than a match for their opponents and, whilst confidence may have taken a bit of a hit, they will surely view this match as winnable.
The return of Mainoo and, possibly, Rashford, could well help, and history tells us that Bruno Fernandes can step up on such occasions.
Man Utd to win, with Bruno Fernandes taken to score at any time in the match.
Como v Man Utd Tips
