Fabregas defends Carrick from sack talk as Como prepare to host Manchester United

Cesc Fabregas has pushed back against speculation linking him with the Manchester United manager’s job, insisting the questions showed a lack of respect to Michael Carrick, who arrives in Italy under mounting pressure after United’s worst league start in 40 years.

“I won’t answer that question because I think that’s not a very nice question,” Fabregas said at his pre-match press conference. “I don’t think that shows enough respect to a great footballer and manager like Michael Carrick at the helm of a wonderful Manchester United side.”

The Como head coach has drawn admiring glances from across Europe after guiding the newly promoted Italian side into the Champions League, and his name has circulated among those mooted as a potential Carrick replacement should United’s form continue to deteriorate. United have won just two of their opening ten league games this season.

Carrick, for his part, described last weekend’s draw at Leeds as a “fresh start”, though he travels to Lake Como with an injury-hit squad and a point to prove in Europe’s premier club competition.

Fabregas is well acquainted with the club he faces. The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder spent years in the Premier League and knows several members of United’s backroom staff personally. “Manchester United is a historical club I know very, very well,” he said. “I know Steve Holland very well because I worked with him for years at Chelsea, and I know Michael has done really well in previous clubs as well.”

He was also generous in acknowledging Carrick’s achievement in returning United to the Champions League. “Last year he did really well bringing Manchester United back to where they belong, which is the Champions League, for the first time in many years, so it’s not all bad. It’s an honour to host them for the first time in our history.”

Como’s own Champions League debut has been eventful. They thrashed RB Leipzig 4-1 at the compact 12,000-capacity Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium in the opening matchweek before losing away at Feyenoord. Fabregas is under no illusions about the scale of Wednesday’s challenge, though he allowed himself a moment of dry humour when outlining his tactical approach.

“We’ll play all deep, and we’ll park the bus because they’re very good at counterattacks, so we try not to allow that,” he said, before adding: “Joking apart, we’ll try to play our natural game.”