Man U’s crisis deepens with loss to newcomer

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick’s job could be in jeopardy after a tough Champions League opening included a loss to Como. ANTONIO CALANNI / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

ROME — Manchester United is hardly putting up a fight in the Champions League these days.

Michael Carrick’s struggling team was beaten 4-1 at competition newcomer Como on Wednesday and United has now been outscored 6-1 in its last two European matches.

Nico Paz scored twice and set up another for Cesc Fabregas’ Como, which was playing in the fourth division of Italian soccer seven years ago.

“We got outplayed for most of the game so it was a very disappointing night,” United midfielder Youri Tielemans said. “It’s everything. You can be good tactically but if the effort is not good (then it won’t work) and vice versa. You need to be good at everything and tonight we were poor. It comes down to that.”

United was already in turmoil, with defender Lisandro Martinez last week calling out the club’s hierarchy over its off-season recruitment, with director of football Jason Wilcox the apparent target of his criticism.

In January, Ruben Amorim had a fallout with Wilcox which swiftly led to the manager being fired after 14 months in the job.

Now Carrick appears at risk.

In the other early game, Galatasaray won 4-2 at Lille with Victor Osimhen scoring against one of his former clubs.

The 19-year-old Soriba Diaoune scored twice for Lille in the first half but it was 2-2 at the break before an own goal and a strike from Osimhen put Galatasaray in control.

It was Galatasaray’s first win of this season’s competition, while Lille has now lost all three of its matches.

Paris Saint-Germain injuries

PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain paid a high price for its thrilling Champions League win over Barcelona with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tearing the ACL in his right knee and Ousmane Dembélé and captain Marquinhos both tearing thigh muscles.

PSG said in a statement Wednesday that Kvaratskhelia will have an operation in the coming days and that Dembélé (left thigh) and Marquinhos (right thigh) both face several weeks out.

Ballon d’Or winner Dembélé pulled up clutching the back of his left thigh following a run down the left in the 19th minute of Tuesday’s game.

Kvaratskhelia landed awkwardly after sprinting back to make a tackle on Xavi Espart early into the second half and looked in severe pain as he clutched his knee.

Kvaratskhelia, who can play on both wings, and 32-year-old central defender Marquinhos were both replaced on the hour mark at Parc des Princes, where two-time defending champion PSG won 4-2 for a third straight win in the competition.

Marquinhos, who has played more than 500 games since joining PSG in 2013, sat down on the field in the 58th minute and began rubbing the back of his thigh.

PSG manager Luis Enrique used Dembélé sparingly in the French league last season and has rested him twice in Ligue 1 this campaign.

The France star, who scored six goals at the World Cup, struggled with injuries last season and the speedy forward had been beset by leg muscle injuries at his previous club Barcelona.

The 2024-25 campaign, which led to him winning the men’s Ballon d’Or, saw Dembélé playing 50 games overall in a season for the first time in his career.

Kvaratskhelia injured his right ankle last season.

AC Milan backs fan boycott

MILAN — AC Milan came out firmly in support of its fans protesting against excessive away ticket prices, threatening to retaliate against clubs it believes are unfairly charging Rossoneri supporters.

Milan fans are boycotting Sunday’s match at Udinese because the home club is charging 65 euros (US$73), more than double the 30 euros (US$34) travelling supporters pay on average at the Bluenergy Stadium.

In a statement Wednesday, Milan says it “understands (the fans’) frustration and fully supports their position” — especially as away trips come with many additional costs — and that fans should be treated the same regardless of which club they follow.

“The global appeal of Italian football depends heavily on the loyalty and passion of supporters of clubs like AC Milan,” the club said. “Charging those same fans excessive prices for away games is not only unfair but undermines the unity of the league at a time when Italian football needs to come together to compete against the Premier League and other European leagues.

“Practices like these only deepen divisions between clubs and creates an unhealthy antagonism between big and small teams in Serie A.”

Milan said it would push for a league-wide cap on away ticket prices but, in the meantime, could hit back at clubs it feels are overcharging its fans.

“We are also prepared to introduce a policy of reciprocity: clubs charging our supporters above average ticket pricing should expect their own fans to face higher prices when visiting San Siro, subject to applicable regulations,” Milan said. “Any additional proceeds generated would be donated to Fondazione Milan to support charitable initiatives benefiting local communities.”

— The Associated Press