Man United told Como will not sell their £50m playmaker in January, with Carrick’s attack crying out for help

Manchester United have been handed another setback in their search for attacking help, with Como reportedly determined to keep Nico Paz beyond the January transfer window.

According to TEAMtalk, as relayed by Sports Mole, the Serie A side have no intention of selling the 22-year-old to anyone this winter, despite growing interest from Premier League clubs. United are one of the teams to have been linked with the playmaker.

It lands at an awkward moment for Michael Carrick. The 2026-27 season has been disastrous so far, and the head coach is at serious risk of the sack if results keep going the wrong way. Next up is a league trip to Chelsea on Saturday.

Why Nico Paz is out of Man United’s reach in January

The message from Como is simple: Paz is staying put. The Italian club made his move permanent in the summer of 2026 for just over £50m, and they are in no mood to cash in only a few months later.

Even if Como were open to talks, prising him away looks unlikely while there is so much uncertainty at Old Trafford. Selling a project to a player is hard enough when the head coach’s position is under the microscope after a half-time stat that has the sack talk growing.

What makes Nico Paz so good?

The numbers explain why the Red Devils were interested. Paz has played 11 games for Como in all competitions this term, scoring five goals and registering six assists.

United have seen it up close, too. When the two sides met in the Champions League on October 21, the attacking midfielder scored twice and laid on an assist.

Many of Como’s best chances come through him. He is comfortable dropping deep to help in the build-up, and he can also threaten from range, which is exactly the kind of profile a blunt United attack has been missing.

Nico Paz stats this season

How many attackers do Man United need?

Quite a few, by the look of it. United have scored only 10 goals in eight top-flight games, and many of their forwards have disappointed this campaign.

Marcus Rashford is the only natural left-winger in the squad, and he is beyond his best. Bruno Fernandes enjoyed an exceptional 2025-26 campaign, registering 21 Premier League assists, but the captain has struggled to influence games this term. He is already 32, and there is an argument that the club cannot evolve until he stops being the centrepiece of the side, a debate that has only grown since he was dropped after criticising Carrick’s tactics.

Then there is the No.9 question. A new striker may be needed depending on whether Benjamin Šeško can put his injury woes behind him, and with the striker ruled out until at least January, the next rebuild could end up being a costly one.

Is a Nico Paz move to Man United dead?

For January, it certainly looks that way. Como have just committed big money to him, he is producing, and they hold all the cards.

The bigger worry for United is what this says about their pull right now. A player who tormented them in Europe on October 21 is not even available to talk to, and the gaps in Carrick’s squad are not going to close on their own. If the winter window is going to help, United need targets who can actually be signed, and they need them soon.