Como's Disney‑style ascent puts United's troubles to the test

When former England midfielder Michael Carrick steps onto the tranquil shores of Lake Como on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, he will lead Manchester United into a Champions League clash against a side that has risen like a Disney‑style fairy‑tale. Cesc Fabregas' Como, fresh from a fourth‑place Serie A finish, will host United’s woes.

Just seven years ago the club were languishing in Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football, after three bankruptcies between 2004 and 2017. Their rapid ascent has turned a modest lakeside town into a European footballing destination.

The transformation began in 2019 when Indonesian tobacco magnates Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono bought Como for $850,000 (£644,427) through the Djarum Group. With a combined net worth of $48 billion (£36.4 billion) they instantly became the richest owners in Italian football.

Rather than splurge on marquee names, the Hartono brothers pursued a step‑by‑step strategy, investing in infrastructure, recruitment and a clear footballing identity. The approach has kept spending disciplined while still delivering results.

Rapid climb through the Italian leagues

Promotion from Serie D in 2019 was followed by a Serie C title in 2021. A second‑place finish in Serie B three years later secured a return to Serie A after a 21‑year absence. After finishing tenth in 2024‑25, Como climbed to fourth place last season, earning a historic Champions League berth.

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Fabregas' vision and data‑driven recruitment

Former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas now manages the side and holds a minority shareholding. He has built a team based on possession, intensity and an attractive style, while leveraging his Spanish connections to source talent.

Smart signings illustrate the model: 19‑year‑old Nico Paz arrived from Real Madrid and is already an Argentina international; Greek forward Anastasios Douvikas joined from Celta Vigo in 2025; and young Italians Maximo Perrone and Jacobo Ramon feature regularly. Summer additions such as Moise Kean, Robert Sanchez and Trevoh Chalobah underline the club’s growing appeal.

The rapid summer renovation of Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia now provides a capacity of around 11,000 for the United game. The lakeside stadium meets UEFA requirements, a testament to efficient management in a country where ground upgrades are often mired in bureaucracy.

Italian football expert Daniele Verri praised the project, saying, “They didn’t just do an Abramovich and buy anything that would move on two legs… they climbed the ladder quickly but never overspent.” He added that former England hardman Dennis Wise, who became CEO in 2021 after serving as technical consultant, was instrumental in laying the foundations for the club’s modern success.

The contrast between a United side battling internal difficulties and a Como outfit that has combined disciplined investment, data‑led scouting and visionary leadership suggests Wednesday’s clash will be more than a match – it will be a litmus test of two very different footballing philosophies.