Manchester United return to the Champions League on Wednesday evening, as they travel to Italy to face Cesc Fabregas’ Como side in their first season in the competition. 

Como have impressed many since Fabregas took over, whereas United seem to be on yet another downward slope at the start of this campaign. 

The Red Devils have won just two matches this term – a 5-2 win against Ipswich Town and a 4-0 win against Sabah FK, both at Old Trafford – marking their worst start to a season since the 1930s. 

Against Leeds United, some fans saw positive signs, which have not been said much about this season. Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos partnered in midfield – ahead of a situational back five, with Amad acting as a false right-wing-back – regularly switching between a natural right winger and a more defensive role. 

For much of the game, it seemed to work, with Leny Yoro batting away cross after cross, and United fashioning some decent chances. However, the 1-1 draw marked another poor result and has mounted even more pressure on Michael Carrick, who Roundtable revealed met with Jason Wilcox after the result. 

Every Manchester United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson has had a beginning of the end, as none of the sackings was out of the blue. Rúben Amorim could be seen as an exception, given the support he had from Wilcox before his outburst at Elland Road, though the change to a back four before Christmas – going against everything he stood for at Old Trafford – felt significant at the time. 

Erik ten Hag's beginning of the end came when Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a minority stake in the club. There was always a feeling that the new co-owner would want to appoint his own head coach before long. 

But has Michael Carrick reached his beginning of the end? 

If he has, the marker for it would be his formation change at Elland Road. The former Middlesbrough boss changed from his default 4-2-3-1 structure to a 5-2-3 shape last time out, which seemed to divide the fan base. 

Some commended Carrick for spotting a problem and changing it, which so many Manchester United managers have failed to do. However, others saw it as a last-ditch attempt to fix the issues which have been plaguing his side this season. 

Como on Wednesday evening could be the deciding factor. 

One option for Michael Carrick is to stick with the formation he used against Leeds United: a back five, two defensive midfielders, and a narrow front three. His other choice is to revert to his usual 4-2-3-1. 

On the one hand, the 4-2-3-1 shape has not worked this season. Manchester United have been overrun in every game this term, except for the trip to Elland Road. 

On the other hand, sticking with his non-favoured structure could indicate he is scrambling. 

Cesc Fabregas' side will prove a difficult test, but the quality in the United squad should be more than enough if they can play at their level.