Jesus Rodriguez faces long absence as Como prepare for Manchester United

Jesus Rodriguez will miss Como’s Champions League meeting with Manchester United after injuring himself in training, and Cesc Fabregas expects the forward to be out for a long spell. The coach gave no return date, but said the injury appeared more serious than a minor problem.

Fabregas said Rodriguez was hurt while taking a shot at goal near the end of training. That leaves Como without one of their forward options for a fixture the coach has described as a historic day for the club. Rodriguez also matters to the team’s attacking-midfield rotations, according to reporting on Fabregas’s comments, so his absence narrows the choices around an already significant match.

The injury comes alongside another confirmed absence: Chalobah is expected to be out for two weeks, which Fabregas said will mean missing four matches. Moise Kean’s availability for Saturday is still uncertain. Fabregas said the club would assess whether Kean could play, while Assane Diao is expected to return after the break.

That leaves the coach managing several absences around Como’s meeting with United, though the club has not announced a recovery timetable for Rodriguez. Fabregas called the match a reward for what Como have achieved in recent years and said his team would try to win as usual. He also praised United as a team with great players and a remarkable history.

For Como, the immediate cost is clear: Rodriguez will not be available for the United tie, and the longer absence will reduce Fabregas’s options beyond it. The next update to watch is whether Kean can make Saturday; Rodriguez’s return remains undated.