Football Features Writer @ghostgoal
Thursday 10 September 2026 23:16, UK
Manchester United made a winning return to the Champions League with a 4-0 victory over Sabah FC at Old Trafford.
The Azerbaijani side started brightly but Matheus Cunha converted Patrick Dorgu's cross in the 27th minute. Joy-Lance Mickels should have levelled but missed, and two goals late in the first half from Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko put United in control. Michael Carrick made changes in the second half, but Lisandro Martinez smashed home from close range after Joshua Zirkzee's flashy play.
With goal difference potentially significant in the league phase, this was a fine night's work. United face Atletico Madrid away next in Europe, but first comes a bigger test against Manchester City on Sunday.
It is over 1000 days since United last played in the Champions League. This was their 300th game in Europe's premier club competition and proved not too taxing. It will be tougher against City, and so will team selection.
Fernandes starred again, combining with Youri Tielemans for the second goal. Tielemans produced perhaps his best 45 minutes at Old Trafford. Sesko scored after coming off the bench against Everton and looked sharp in his first start of the season. With Marcus Rashford also available and Cunha getting a confidence-boosting goal, Carrick has interesting decisions ahead.
Dorgu enjoyed himself at left-back with Luke Shaw missing, playing as a de facto winger given United's superiority. It will be more challenging against City's attack, but Carrick and his players go into that with confidence restored.
27 – GOAL! Cunha converts Dorgu's cross at the near post
36 – SITTER! Mickels nods wide from inside the six-yard box
42 – GOAL! Fernandes makes it two from Tielemans' pass
45 – GOAL! Mbeumo puts Sesko in to round the goalkeeper
68 – GOAL! Zirkzee's backheel finds Martinez who smashes it in
Man Utd boss Michael Carrick speaking in the press conference:
"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.
"Results-wise, it has not been the start that what we wanted. We wanted more points in the league. But performance-wise, it has been a lot of things we are looking for.
"Collectively, as a team, we have done a lot of the right things and that is why were are excited about what the season will bring. It is really encouraging for me."
