Old Trafford marked its return to the Champions League with an emphatic victory as Manchester United asserted their dominance over debutants Sabah, cruising to a comprehensive 4-0 win.
Although it took 27 minutes for Matheus Cunha to break the deadlock (1-0), the evening proved smooth sailing for the ‘Red Devils’ thereafter, despite a solitary scare from the Azerbaijani outfit. The Mancunians effectively killed off the contest with a devastating pre-interval blitz: Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Šeško struck in quick succession (2-0, then 3-0), before Lisandro Martinez added further gloss to the scoreline past the hour mark.
Europe’s premier club competition is notoriously unforgiving. Even so, Sabah displayed remarkably few signs of stage fright during their baptism of fire on the continent. The visitors refused to sit in a low block, even daring to press United’s build-up play in spells. Yet the gulf in class became starkly apparent shortly before the half-hour mark when the hosts ruthlessly capitalised on an away error.
A slack back pass triggered a costly turnover in midfield—a mistake swiftly punished by the hosts. Against Manchester United or any seasoned contender in this league phase, such generosity rarely goes unpunished. Breaking forward with intent, the side orchestrated by Michael Carrick seized their moment to up the ante: a pinpoint cross from Dorgu picked out Cunha, who made no mistake with the finish.
The Brazilian forward, formerly of Atletico Madrid and Wolverhampton Wanderers, slipped effortlessly between two flat-footed centre-backs to steer the ball home. That clinical opener set United firmly on course, though they were briefly rattled moments later: Mickels failed to turn home a dangerous delivery from Parris, a winger who caught the eye with his blistering pace and technical flair.
With that scare averted as the ball brushed into the side netting of Lammens’ goal, Manchester United showed no mercy, striking twice in three minutes to put the result beyond doubt. In the 42nd minute, Bruno Fernandes rounded off an incisive team move by converting a cross from former Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans. Three minutes later, in the 45th minute, Šeško danced around the goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
The final blow arrived in the 68th minute, when Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez pounced on a hesitation from goalkeeper Pokatilov inside the penalty area following an ingenious backheel flick from Zirkzee, capping off what was a routine and comfortable night in the end.
