Cesc Fàbregas has made headlines after Como’s victory over Manchester United, delivering a cheeky response when asked whether he was surprised by how comfortably his team won.
When asked if he expected Como to beat United so convincingly, the former Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder replied: “Surprised? No. We’re not playing against the 2008 Manchester United team.”
His comment has already provided plenty of talking points among football fans, with the Spaniard seemingly reminding everyone that the Manchester United of today is far from the dominant side that conquered Europe under Sir Alex Ferguson.
United enjoyed one of their greatest periods in 2008, winning the Premier League and Champions League with a squad featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
However, the club have struggled to maintain those standards in recent years, with inconsistent performances and managerial changes continuing to raise questions about their direction.
Fàbregas also reportedly revealed that he had previously been offered the opportunity to become Manchester United’s manager but turned it down because of concerns about the club’s directors.
The Como boss suggested that his decision to remain in Italy rather than take the Manchester United job reflected his reservations about the club’s leadership and management structure.
He also appeared reluctant to take too much credit for beating United, pointing to the difficult situation facing his friend Michael Carrick.
Nevertheless, his comments have added another layer to the debate surrounding Manchester United’s current state and how far the club have fallen from their glory days.
For Como, the victory represents another opportunity to demonstrate the progress being made under Fàbregas. For United, the result and the Spaniard’s remarks will only increase the pressure to prove that they can return to the level expected of one of football’s biggest clubs.
Note: The reported comments about being offered the Manchester United job and the club’s directors should be verified against the original interview before publication.