Manchester United marked their return to the Champions League after a two-season absence with a 4-0 victory over debutants Sabah at Old Trafford, turning a patient first half into a commanding opening statement in the league phase.
Manchester United 4-0 Sabah: Old Trafford return ends in emphatic win
SEO Title: Manchester United 4-0 Sabah: United return to Champions League with statement win
SEO Description: Manchester United beat Champions League newcomers Sabah 4-0 at Old Trafford, with goals from Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Sesko and Lisandro Martínez.
What happened at Old Trafford
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Michael Carrick’s side controlled the contest from the opening whistle, moving Sabah around with a collective attacking performance, although the Azerbaijani visitors initially resisted with composed build-up play from deep.
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The breakthrough came in the 27th minute. Mbeumo, Sesko, Bruno Fernandes and Dorgu all contributed to a rapid team move, with Dorgu supplying the final pass for Cunha to finish.
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Sabah produced their clearest moment eight minutes later, when Mickels headed a gilt-edged chance wide at the far post. It was their only real threat to Lammens’ goal and briefly exposed a United side that had eased off after going ahead.
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United responded before the interval with two goals in two minutes. Bruno Fernandes completed another sharp passing move in the 43rd minute, before Sesko ran onto Mbeumo’s through ball, rounded goalkeeper Pokatilov and made it 3-0 in the 45th.
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With the result effectively settled, United reduced the tempo after half-time. Sabah came out more aggressively but could not create the pressure required to reopen the match.
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The fourth arrived in the 68th minute from a set piece. Pokatilov was unable to gather the ball after two rebounds, leaving Lisandro Martínez to score from close range.
A settled start to United’s European campaign
Sabah showed signs of organisation in possession, but their defensive inexperience was punished on one of the competition’s biggest stages. United’s midfield pairing of Mainoo and Tielemans supplied a stable base, while Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Mbeumo and Sesko repeatedly found combinations in the final third.
The opening win gives Carrick’s team firm footing in the Champions League before sterner league-phase tests, with Bayern and Atlético among the opponents expected to pose a greater challenge. For United, this was a controlled first European night back: four goals, a clean sheet and no late uncertainty at Old Trafford.
