Manchester United lost 4-1 at Como in the Champions League on Wednesday. Afterwards Michael Carrick apologised to the supporters who had travelled to northern Italy, and captain Bruno Fernandes questioned the decision not to press man-to-man.

The result leaves United joint-20th in the 36-team league phase table, level with Inter on three points and a goal difference of minus one, according to UEFA's standings. That is an unseeded play-off place. Only the top eight go straight to the round of 16, and eighth-placed Barcelona have six points. Como, coached by Cesc Fàbregas, are ninth on six.

Como were 4-0 up before United replied

Nico Paz curled Como ahead inside three minutes, and according to United's match report the hosts then controlled the tempo in torrential rain at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, where more than 700 United supporters were in the away end. It was the second successive week in Europe in which United fell behind early.

Senne Lammens saved from Anastasios Douvikas and Martin Baturina before half-time, and referee Sven Jablonski waved away a Como penalty appeal against Harry Maguire, the club's report said.

United brought on Carlos Baleba and Amad at the break, but Douvikas made it 2-0 in the 49th minute from a Paz pass. Paz added his second, and Como's third, with a solo goal in the 57th, according to UEFA, and Jacobo Ramón's header made it 4-0 in the 76th. Joshua Zirkzee scored in stoppage time, his first goal of the season, United's report said.

Carrick made four changes from the 1-1 draw at Leeds, which we covered in our Leeds recap. Matthijs de Ligt started and played 79 minutes, his first appearance in 325 days after back surgery, the club said. United were without Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven and Marcus Rashford through injury and illness, plus the suspended Leny Yoro.

Carrick took responsibility and apologised

Speaking to TNT Sports and MUTV after the match, Carrick said he took responsibility for the team and the performance, and that he had gone over to the supporters at the end to apologise. "They are the heartbeat of this football club and they always will be," he said.

It was nowhere near good enough in so many ways.

Michael Carrick, speaking to TNT Sports and MUTV after the match

"We just weren't there," he said. "It was as simple as that." He also said he cares about the club "as much as anybody" and found the performance hard to watch.

At his press conference Carrick called the display "totally the opposite" of what he wanted after Leeds and said the lack of intensity and aggression was "not acceptable". Asked whether any part of him did not want to carry on, he answered "No". Asked whether the job might be taken away from him, he said: "I have not given my own position any thought."

Fernandes said the plan left United passive

Fernandes, who was substituted in the 67th minute, told TNT Sports it was "a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man", according to RTÉ. He said giving a team like Como too much of the ball lets them grow in confidence, and that "we have to be more brave under pressure". Asked whether he was questioning the tactics, he said it was "on the manager and on the staff to say it".

Carrick answered the point at his press conference. He said United had half pressed man-to-man in the second half and conceded from it, and that no system works if players do not run forward and back. Tielemans told MUTV that "everything was missing" and that "our press was off", and apologised to the away fans.

Pressure builds before Bournemouth

RTÉ reported that United have taken seven points from their first seven Premier League games, that Martinez has openly highlighted the club's shortcomings, and that Carrick is under pressure. Carrick said he was "really angry" but that the team has to move on.

United host Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday 25 October, kick-off 14:00 GMT.