Carrick Backs Manchester United to Control Champions League Clash Against Como

FolioPitch.com – 22 October 2026 | Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has challenged his players to impose their authority on Wednesday evening’s Champions League encounter with Como, insisting that Carrick Como are a really good team United want to control the game is the mindset driving his side’s approach at the Stadio Sinigaglia. Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the 17.45 BST kick-off, Carrick acknowledged the quality of Cesc Fabregas‘s outfit while outlining a clear tactical ambition for his own team.

The United boss was quick to praise the Italian side, who have enjoyed a long unbeaten run and have developed a reputation for dominating possession, particularly on home soil. “They’re a really good team and they’ve had a long spell of winning a lot of games,” Carrick said. “We want to look like a really good team. We’ve got to do certain things to do that. We want to build on Sunday, on the foundation of that, control the game. Coming away from home in Europe, you want to see the ball and try and control the game from that perspective.”

The message was unambiguous: Carrick Como are a really good team United want to control the game served as the central theme of his pre-match comments, with the coach eager to ensure his players do not sit back and invite pressure against a side comfortable in possession. The 44-year-old believes that dictating the tempo will be essential if United are to return from Italy with a positive result.

De Ligt Returns to the Starting Line-up

Carrick also confirmed a significant boost to his defensive options, with Matthijs de Ligt handed his first start since November last year. The former Juventus centre-back has endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines but has been building fitness in training for several weeks.

“First of all it’s fantastic to have Matta back, he’s worked so hard for such a long period of time and he’s been training for a good number of weeks now and it’s great to have him back on the pitch for sure,” Carrick said. The Dutchman’s return adds experience and composure to a back line that will need to be at its sharpest against Como’s fluid attacking movement.

Carrick highlighted the collective experience within his starting XI as a key asset for the challenge ahead. “We’ve got a good team on the pitch tonight, a lot of experience, so I’m looking forward to seeing the boys play,” he added. The presence of seasoned internationals is expected to help United manage the occasion and execute the game plan effectively.

Tactical Adaptability Key Against Fabregas’s Possession Game

When it was put to Carrick that Como are a team who like to keep the ball, especially at home, and asked how he planned to combat Fabregas’s preferred style, the United coach emphasised flexibility and trust in his own structure. “That’s part of the beauty of football, the different styles, the different things you come up against each week. You’ve got to adapt to it a little bit. Each week, we trust our shape, we trust our co-ordination and the connections between us to solve so many issues that they pose, because they’re a good team.”

The response underlined Carrick’s belief that Carrick Como are a really good team United want to control the game is not merely a soundbite but a strategic blueprint. Rather than simply reacting to Como’s possession, United intend to contest it, using their own shape and coordination to disrupt the hosts’ rhythm while imposing their own passing game.

The challenge is a delicate one. Como’s home record and their ability to dictate play at the Stadio Sinigaglia mean United cannot afford to be passive. Yet Carrick’s insistence on control suggests he wants his team to be proactive, pressing intelligently and retaining the ball with purpose rather than simply defending deep.

Building on Sunday’s Foundation

Carrick referenced Sunday’s performance as a platform for the trip to Italy, indicating that the team’s recent display provided encouragement. The emphasis on continuity and momentum is a recurring theme in his management, and he will hope that the return of De Ligt, combined with the experience in the squad, can help United produce a composed and authoritative display.

The early kick-off time adds a different dynamic, but Carrick’s focus remained squarely on his team’s ability to execute their principles. With a demanding Champions League schedule, every point is precious, and United’s coach is clearly determined to approach the fixture with ambition rather than caution.

Conclusion

As Manchester United prepare to face Como at the Stadio Sinigaglia, Michael Carrick has set a clear expectation for his side: to control the game and demonstrate the qualities of a top team. His repeated assertion that Carrick Como are a really good team United want to control the game reflects a manager who respects the opposition but refuses to compromise his own attacking philosophy. With De Ligt back in the starting line-up and a wealth of experience on the pitch, United will be hoping to translate Carrick’s words into a commanding performance on Italian soil.