Manchester United secured a dominant 4-0 victory over debutants Sabah at Old Trafford. Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko, and Lisandro Martínez scored as Michael Carrick’s side moved into fourth place in the overall European standings.
Manchester United made a winning return to the Champions League on a night that balanced fairytale ambition with cold, hard reality at Old Trafford. For the Azerbaijani visitors, the fixture marked a staggering milestone: a Champions League debut for a club that did not exist a decade ago and finished 41 points off the top in 2024–25. Yet the job Valdas Dambrauskas has done since taking over in the summer of last year brought a wave of romance to the stadium before kickoff, with players capturing the quiet scale of the venue on their phones.
For United, however, the assignment carried a much heavier weight. The club was returning to Europe’s elite competition after a two-year hiatus, seeking reassurance after coughing up two points in a late Premier League draw against Everton and facing an impending derby against Manchester City.
How Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes Forged the Breakthrough
Sabah lined up in a 4-3-3 formation and refused to park the bus, posing early questions for a makeshift United backline. The visitors even carved out a golden opportunity in the 35th minute when Kaheem Parris crossed to the back post, but Joy-Lance Mickels nudged his header wide of the target.
United soon seized control through persistence and sharp combination play. The deadlock broke midway through the first half when Bruno Fernandes chased down a high ball over the top that appeared lost, keeping it in play. When Sabah surrendered possession cheaply to Bryan Mbeumo, United shifted the ball swiftly across the pitch. Patrick Dorgu delivered a near-post cross, allowing Matheus Cunha to convert cleanly.
The first half ended with a devastating one-two punch. Youri Tielemans burst onto a pass from Cunha inside the box, spun, and teed up Fernandes, who made a sidefoot finish look routine. Shortly after, Fernandes slipped a first-time pass into Mbeumo, releasing Benjamin Sesko behind a high Sabah defensive line. Sesko rounded goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov without trouble to make it three.
Michael Carrick Explains the Value of Benjamin Sesko and Rotation
With the contest effectively settled, Michael Carrick utilized his bench extensively. Mason Mount was introduced at halftime for his first football of the season, while Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo, and Sesko were withdrawn to preserve energy ahead of Sunday’s clash against Manchester City. Carrick praised the impact of his returning striker in the post-match press conference.
“He definitely offers a different kind of threat, that is the beauty of it really, we know what Ben gives us and there are not many who can give us what he gives us. Speed, physicality, ability to play on the last line and run in behind. Great to have him back.”
Michael Carrick, Manchester United manager, via Sky Sports
Carrick also expressed satisfaction with the overall display after the final whistle, pointing to the control his team maintained throughout the evening.
“I think it was kind of what we set out to achieve, good performance, individually and collectively throughout the game, the boys that started, the boys that came on pitch, clean sheet, goals, exciting football. A good night all round.”
Michael Carrick, Manchester United manager, via Sky Sports
Lisandro Martínez Caps the Victory as Old Trafford Eyes Manchester City
The second half maintained its one-way traffic as United kept relentless pressure on the visitors. The final goal arrived in the 68th minute through a well-worked set-piece routine. Following a cheeky chipped free-kick from Fernandes and a deft backheel from substitute Joshua Zirkzee, Lisandro Martínez smashed a left-footed strike into the bottom right corner.
Sabah head coach Valdas Dambrauskas conceded that his side’s defensive inexperience proved costly against elite opposition.
“We did not have enough courage probably from the back line to get up. Our centre-backs stayed too deep, not afraid but maybe from inexperience we were over-evaluating the opponent. Because when you don’t squeeze that space and you allow those players to turn and run it is almost impossible to stop them.”
Valdas Dambrauskas, Sabah head coach, via Sky Sports
The 4-0 triumph propelled United into fourth place in the overall Champions League standings, trailing Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona only on goal difference. While the evening provided a much-needed morale boost, attention immediately shifts to Old Trafford on Sunday and the tougher test awaiting against Manchester City.
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