Michael Carrick makes four changes as Man Utd take on Como in the Champions League

Manchester United are in Italy to face Como in the league stage of the 2026/27 Champions League on October 21, 2026. Michael Carrick has made four changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Leeds United, with Matthijs De Ligt starting his first game in 325 days. Here are the confirmed line-ups.

  • Competition: Champions League league stage
  • Venue: Italy (Como home)
  • Date: October 21, 2026
  • Man Utd changes: Four from the Leeds draw
  • Key return: Matthijs De Ligt starts first game in 325 days
  • Missing: Leny Yoro (suspended), Lisandro Martinez (thigh), Luke Shaw (out), Ayden Heaven (illness), Kobbie Mainoo (ruled out), Manuel Ugarte (knee), Benjamin Sesko (injured), Carlos Baleba (rested)

Confirmed line-ups

Como

Starting XI: Butez; Couto, Kempf, Jacobo Ramón, Alex Valle; Luis Milla, Da Cunha; Perrone, Nico Paz, Baturina; Douvikas

Substitutes: Sanchez, Ginelli, Kaiki, Smolcic, Dossena, Caqueret, Liberali, Ricci

Man Utd (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: Lammens; Dalot, De Ligt, Maguire, Mazraoui; Mount, Santos; Fernandes, Tielemans, Cunha; Mbeumo

Substitutes: Darlow, Heaton, Amass, Armer, Kamason, Baleba, J Fletcher, T Fletcher, Diallo, Lacey, Thompson, Zirkzee

Selection notes

Carrick has shuffled his pack with four changes from the weekend. Senne Lammens keeps his place in goal, while Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire retain their spots in the back four. Noussair Mazraoui is recalled with Leny Yoro suspended, and Matthijs De Ligt starts for the first time in 325 days alongside Maguire in central defence. Lisandro Martinez is ruled out with a thigh injury, Ayden Heaven is missing due to illness, and Luke Shaw remains out.

In midfield, Andrey Santos keeps his place but Carlos Baleba is rested, with Mason Mount recalled. Kobbie Mainoo is ruled out of the trip and Manuel Ugarte faces an extended spell on the sidelines with a knee injury. Youri Tielemans and Bruno Fernandes both start again, with Carrick looking to his captain for inspiration. Up front, Bryan Mbeumo leads the line with Benjamin Sesko injured, while Amad Diallo drops to the bench and Matheus Cunha is recalled in attack.

Injury and availability

United's squad is stretched. Leny Yoro is suspended, while Lisandro Martinez (thigh) and Luke Shaw are out. Ayden Heaven is absent through illness. In midfield, Kobbie Mainoo is ruled out and Manuel Ugarte faces an extended spell out with a knee problem. Carlos Baleba is rested, not injured. Up front, Benjamin Sesko is injured, meaning Mbeumo continues as the focal point. The bench includes Amad Diallo and Joshua Zirkzee as attacking options.

Why Carrick is gambling on De Ligt and a reshuffled midfield

With Yoro suspended and Martinez injured, Carrick had little choice but to turn to Matthijs De Ligt, who has not started a game in 325 days. The Dutchman's experience alongside Harry Maguire will be tested against a Como side that includes Nico Paz and Douvikas. Maguire's lack of pace means United must defend deeper and avoid being caught on the turn.

The midfield axis of Mason Mount and Andrey Santos is a bold call. Mount offers energy and late runs, but Santos is the only recognised holding player with Baleba rested and Ugarte injured. Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans will share creative duties, with Fernandes drifting right and Tielemans looking to dictate. Matheus Cunha's recall gives United a direct runner alongside Bryan Mbeumo.

The absence of a natural defensive midfielder means United may struggle to control transitions. Como's Luis Milla and Da Cunha will look to exploit space in front of the back four. Carrick's decision to rest Baleba suggests he is prioritising the Premier League, where United sit 13th after one win in seven. That is a risk: a defeat here would leave United playing catch-up in Europe as well.

Talking points

  • Is starting De Ligt after 325 days without a game a necessary gamble or a sign of desperation?
  • Mount and Santos in midfield lacks a destroyer; can they cope with Como's technical duo?
  • Should Baleba have started given United's poor league position?
  • Does Cunha's recall mean Diallo's Old Trafford future is in doubt?

What happens next

United play this Champions League tie before returning to Premier League action. With the club 13th and having won just one of seven league games, Carrick needs a positive result in Italy to ease pressure. The next league fixture will be a clearer indication of whether he can turn the season around. A loss here would leave United with work to do in Europe and increase scrutiny on the manager.

Frequently asked questions

Is Matthijs De Ligt starting for Man Utd vs Como?

Yes, De Ligt starts in central defence alongside Harry Maguire. It is his first start in 325 days.

Who is Man Utd's goalkeeper vs Como?

Senne Lammens keeps his place in goal. Altay Bayindir is not in the squad; Darlow and Heaton are the substitutes.

Why is Leny Yoro not playing for Man Utd vs Como?

Yoro is suspended, so Noussair Mazraoui is recalled to the starting line-up.

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