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Hello world! And welcome to this, a tale of two managers. Poor Michael Carrick, for all his undoubted ability, has been negatively compared for Cesc Fabregas for many years. Back in October 2009 the Guardian’s late, great football correspondent David Lacey wrote a column in praise of the Spaniard’s reliable brilliance – “Bergkamp did have off days, whereas Fabregas just has the odd day off” – in which Carrick was referred to, in passing, as a “gifted water carrier”. And here they are, 17 years and a few days later, up against each other once again, in a different role, one of them obviously good, the other evidently better.
Transfermarkt estimates the value of Como’s squad at €568.15m, and Manchester United’s at €928.80m. Como have lost only once in the league this season, while United have won only once. Both have one win and one defeat in their first two Champions League fixtures. And tonight seems destined to be discussed primarily in terms of how it affects Carrick’s standing and chances of long-term employment.