Man United were taught a lesson in the rain in Como, delivering a performance that was every bit the men against boys criticism that will fly their way in wake of their 4-1 defeat.
The most damning aspect for United is that this isn’t a one off. Not a one off this season and not a one off in Europe over the years.
Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ruben Amorim and many more have been shown up in Europe and now Michael Carrick has added himself to the list of infamous defeats.
Como was among the very worst defeats in United’s European history. Abject, devoid of any creativity, and a performance that was miles below the acceptable levels for a Manchester United player.
Daily Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT picks out six of the most damning defeats in Europe…
Man United were completely outplayed by Como and were humbled 4-1 by the Italian side
United were awful and it was one of the worst European defeats in their illustrious history
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester United (May 21, 2025)
Truly terrible. It was a god-awful season under Ruben Amorim and the Europa League final was the final chance to paper over an enormous crack.
They couldn’t in a final performance that was an insult to those who made the arduous trip to Bilbao.
Struggling to think of a single result that triggered as much disappointment and anger in recent seasons than the Bilbao horror show.
United put in a dreadful display to cap a miserable season in the 2025 Europa League final
Como 4-1 Manchester United (October 21, 2026)
A complete and utter aberration.
There was some effort but it ended with a disastrous lack of quality, individual errors, abysmal weather to boot, and the aftermath saw captain Bruno Fernandes openly call out his manager’s tactics.
One of the all-time disaster classes for United.
The Red Devils’ night in Como on Tuesday was an absolute disaster class all round
Lille 1-0 Manchester United (November 2, 2005)
Manchester United were already in crisis by the time they headed to France and Ferguson’s charges left in the absolute depths of it after a shock defeat.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co had just been hammered by Middlesbrough and then put in this sluggish performance that had fans claiming on national radio that United were ‘no longer a high class team’.
Sir Alex Ferguson looks exasperated during United’s 1-0 defeat by Lyon back in 2005
Sporting Lisbon 5-0 Manchester United (March 18, 1964)
George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton… and yet Sir Matt Busby’s side were taught a serious footballing lesson.
They went to Lisbon leading 4-1 lead in this Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final and somehow blew it in epic circumstances.
Sir Matt Busby’s United side somehow blew a 4-1 aggregate lead against Sporting in 1964
Videoton 1-0 Manchester United (March 20, 1985)
Ever heard of Videoton? Not many had, especially not when Manchester United lined up against the Hungarians in 1985.
Ron Atkinson’s side were heavy favourites and yet somehow got humiliated in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals by Videoton.
Real Madrid made the final but United were still reeling from this hall of shame loss.
United produced a dismal defensive display in a defeat by Istanbul Basaksehir back in 2020
Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 Man United (November 4, 2020)
A match that produced arguably the most embarrassing individual moment in the club’s European history.
Demba Ba ran from the halfway line after United botched defending from their own attacking corner and the defending for the second was hardly much better.
This was the start of one of a series of inquests that haunt this club. Really, really bad.
