Amad Diallo singled out as only bright spot after Man United's 4-1 collapse against Como

Manchester United’s coaching staff have identified Amad Diallo as the only player to emerge with any credit from Tuesday’s 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium, with senior figures reportedly stunned by the manner of the performance and frustrated by a widespread refusal among players to accept responsibility.

Diallo started the match on the bench but was introduced at half-time for Matheus Cunha. While United were outclassed by Cesc Fabregas’ Serie A side, the Ivorian took the game to Como and registered an assist, providing the pass for Joshua Zirkzee’s 91st-minute consolation goal. According to ESPN, staff singled him out as the lone positive on a night the club will want to forget.

The fallout from the defeat has been significant. Manager Michael Carrick visibly bypassed his players at full-time, heading straight to the travelling United supporters to apologise. He was then confronted with the news that captain Bruno Fernandes had publicly criticised his tactical approach in a post-match interview, specifically objecting to the team’s failure to press man-to-man.

Carrick pushed back on that assessment, noting that United did adopt a man-to-man press in the second half — and conceded from it. “Whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don’t run, and you don’t run forward, and you don’t run back, you ain’t going to win,” he said.

Asked how he would prepare the squad for the next fixture, Carrick did not hide his anger. “I’m bitterly disappointed, I’m frustrated; more than frustrated, I’m really angry. But you’ve got to move on. You got to deal with what’s next and see what that looks like. I have to apologise to the supporters.”

Despite the scale of the defeat, United’s players were given Thursday off. Carrick is understood to be remaining in his post ahead of the weekend’s home fixture against Bournemouth at Old Trafford. United then face Roma in the Champions League, followed by Chelsea and Aston Villa — a run of fixtures that will test the squad and the manager in equal measure.