Man-United back with a bang as Sabah are swept aside 4-0
Manchester United made a winning return to the Champions League on Thursday, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez were all on target as United marked their first appearance in Europe’s elite competition for three seasons with a comfortable victory.
The Red Devils, who have made an underwhelming start to their Premier League campaign with four points from their opening three matches, were given a favourable draw against a Sabah side making their debut in the Champions League proper.
Sabah had battled through four qualifying rounds to earn their place among Europe’s elite, but their lack of experience at this level was eventually exposed in front of a 74,000-strong crowd.
The visitors started confidently and were not overawed by the occasion, but United gradually took control after Cunha opened the scoring in the 27th minute.
Patrick Dorgu, deputising for Luke Shaw, impressed on the left and delivered the cross that Cunha met at the near post to give United the lead.
The hosts then effectively settled the contest with two goals in three minutes shortly before half-time.
Fernandes combined neatly with Youri Tielemans before slotting home his fourth goal in two home appearances this season.
Moments later, Bryan Mbeumo released Sesko, who rounded goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov before rolling the ball into an empty net to mark his first start of the season with a goal.
United comfortably controlled the second half and manager Michael Carrick was able to manage his squad ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby against Manchester City.
Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford were left out, while Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo, Mbeumo and Sesko were withdrawn in the second half.
Sabah goalkeeper Pokatilov endured another difficult moment when he gifted United a fourth goal.
Joshua Zirkzee’s backheel from Fernandes’ scooped free-kick was blocked, but the ball bounced around Pokatilov’s feet before falling kindly for Martinez, who fired into an empty net.
For Sabah coach Valdas Dambrauskas, the occasion marked an extraordinary return to Old Trafford. His journey in football began with a role at Manchester United Soccer Schools while working several part-time jobs to support himself.
Dambrauskas had admitted before kick-off that Sabah had advanced faster than expected, reaching the Champions League proper before even experiencing the Europa League or Conference League.
United now face a significantly tougher test in their next Champions League assignment, with a trip to Atletico Madrid awaiting them in five weeks.
The victory capped an impressive opening week for English clubs in the competition, with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City also beginning their campaigns with wins.
