Manchester United’s Como Trip Faces Weather-Driven Delay

Manchester United’s Champions League trip to Italy has been thrown into uncertainty, with severe weather threatening their meeting with Como this Wednesday evening. Forecasts of more than 6cm of rain in the 24 hours before kick-off have raised real concerns, even as the match remains scheduled to go ahead at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.

Heavy rain puts the fixture under pressure

The Italian Air Force National Meteorological Service has issued a severe weather warning, with thunderstorms also possible in the build-up to the game. While the match is still listed to be played as planned, the conditions surrounding it have created a growing sense of unease around the fixture.

Como’s stadium, which holds 13,600 spectators, has only one covered stand, meaning supporters and officials could be exposed to the worst of the weather if the forecast turns as expected. For now, though, there has been no official move to postpone the game.

United stay calm despite the forecast

Michael Carrick moved quickly to play down the idea that the weather would become a major problem for his side. “No, nothing immediate from me,” he said when asked whether he was concerned. “We’re used to the rain. We’ll make the most of it.”

That relaxed tone fits a manager trying to keep focus on the football rather than the forecast, especially with Manchester United under pressure on several fronts. The club have endured a difficult run of results, and another disruption would only add to an already tense week.

What UEFA rules say if the match cannot go ahead

UEFA’s regulations outline a clear protocol if a match is unable to start or finish on the scheduled day. Under Article 27 of the 2026/27 regulations, the full match, or the remaining minutes, should in principle be played the following day.

The wording is straightforward but leaves room for logistics and scheduling decisions. According to the regulation, “If, on the day of a match, it is decided that the match cannot begin as planned or cannot be completed, the full match — or the remaining minutes — shall, in principle, be played the following day.”

The same rule adds that this would not prevent any disciplinary measures, and it also places responsibility on the home club to ensure the necessary facilities are available if the game is moved.

Why a Thursday replay would suit United more

While a delay would still be inconvenient, a Thursday restart would likely benefit Manchester United more than Como. The Red Devils are not in the same fixture congestion as some other clubs, having already been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton in September.

United’s next league match is against Bournemouth on Sunday, giving them a more forgiving schedule if they were forced to return a day later. Como, however, face Sassuolo on Saturday, which means a postponement could complicate their planning more significantly.

That imbalance matters because both clubs are managing different domestic priorities alongside their European commitments. Como would then also have a Tuesday meeting with Torino, adding another layer of scheduling pressure.

Pressure continues to build on Carrick

The weather story comes as United continue to battle poor form on the pitch. Their last European outing against Atletico Madrid ended badly, with Lisandro Martinez publicly criticising the club’s hierarchy after the game in a moment that underlined the tension around the squad.

Amid the turbulence, Carrick insisted he is not looking for reassurance from anyone around him. “I don’t need any reassurance,” he said. “It’s pretty clear. I know the role, I know my responsibilities. I don’t need anyone else to tell me that or tell me when it’s going well or when it needs to be better. I know that myself.”

That confidence may be important in the short term, but the reality is that every result now feels magnified. Even the weather has become part of the wider conversation around a club that can ill afford another setback.

For now, the match remains on the schedule, but the forecast has turned Wednesday’s Champions League tie into a live issue. If the rain arrives as predicted, Manchester United and Como may be forced to wait an extra day for a game already carrying plenty of intrigue.