Manchester United Cruise Past Sabah FK in Champions League Return

Manchester United marked their return to the Champions League in emphatic fashion, sweeping aside Sabah FK at Old Trafford to record their biggest victory in the competition since 2020.

United had been absent from the Champions League for more than 1,000 days, but Michael Carrick’s side quickly settled back into European action. First-half goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko effectively ended the contest before the interval and gave the hosts an ideal start to the league phase.

Sabah FK arrived in Manchester after an impressive qualifying campaign. The Azerbaijan champions negotiated four rounds to reach the main league phase for the first time and did create opportunities at Old Trafford. However, United’s quality ultimately proved too much.

The comfortable victory was also timely for Carrick, whose players have only three days to recover before Sunday’s Manchester derby.

One of the biggest positives was the performance of Sesko. Making his first start since 3 May, the Slovenian striker provided United with a focal point in attack that had been missing during their opening three Premier League matches.

His display could now earn him a starting place against Manchester City. That would leave Carrick with an important decision on the left side of his attack, where Cunha and Marcus Rashford are among his options. Rashford remained on the bench throughout the Champions League victory.

Carrick had insisted following Sunday’s game at Everton that United’s start to the domestic campaign had “not been that bad”. However, four points from their opening three Premier League matches means they can ill afford to lose further ground.

In Europe, there was considerably more satisfaction.

United needed a positive start given the demanding Champions League schedule ahead. They still face away matches against Atletico Madrid, Como and Sporting Lisbon, while Roma and Bayern Munich are due to visit Old Trafford.

Victory over Sabah ensured United avoided immediately falling behind in the league standings. Their success also continued a strong opening for the Premier League’s representatives, with all five English entrants beginning their respective campaigns with three points.

United currently sit just behind holders Paris St-Germain, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the table. Tougher European tests await, but after such a long absence from the competition, Carrick could hardly have asked for a more convincing opening night.