[Manchester United](https://roundtable.io/sports/soccer/premier-league/manchester-united) have started their Champions League campaign with three points at Old Trafford against Sabah FK.
The visitors looked defensively well organised for the opening phase of the game, but Matheus Cunha broke the deadlock to put Michael Carrick's men ahead.
United finished the second half very strongly, with Bruno Fernandes scoring United's second of the evening, shortly before Benjamin Sesko tripled United's lead on the brink of half-time.
In the second half, Lisandro Martinez scored United's fourth and final goal of the game.
Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans both played very well on Thursday night. While such a midfield pivot can leave United vulnerable in games where United lack control, it works brilliantly in games where United dominate possession.
Both are highly intelligent footballers who can progress the ball forward, create chances when in advanced areas, but they also know when to keep the ball and just recycle possession.
Tielemans' passing is outstanding, both his long-range passes as well as his short-to-medium-range passing. Mainoo is renowned for his ability to take the ball under pressure, keep the ball in tight areas and carry it forward. However, the Carrington graduate showed on Thursday night that he also has the ability to play impressive long-range passes. If that is something he can start to showcase on a regular basis, it would go a long way in taking his game to a new level.
Noussair Mazraoui and Bryan Mbeumo linked up well on United's right-hand side on Thursday night.
While there were positional rotations between the duo, Mazraoui was often the one operating in the right-half space, while Mbeumo was holding the width.
Mazraoui, throughout his career and especially at Ajax, liked to make underlapping runs and play in more central areas higher up the pitch, and he looked fairly good against Sabah FK. Mbeumo is better when he plays closer to goal. He creates separation well to get shots off, but isn't a good enough dribbler to reliably hold the width. Against opposition of lower quality, though, it can obviously work.
Benjamin Sesko has been nursing a shin injury for quite some time but is now approaching full fitness. He seems to be continuing his impressive form from the second half of last season into the new season. He scored against Everton on Sunday, and again against Sabah to make it two goals in two games.
Sesko had a slow start to his United career but has scored 12 goals in 2026, which is quite impressive when you take into account the number of minutes he has actually played.
United look a lot better with Sesko playing, as he offers a focal point. A front three of Rashford, Cunha and Mbeumo is a little bit too fluid, although all three of those players are obviously individually excellent.
If Sesko can remain fit, there is no reason he cannot score at least 20 goals in all competitions.
United were in the market for a new left-back in the summer but ultimately did not sign anyone in that position.
Luke Shaw started every Premier League game last season, but obviously has a long injury history, and his minutes will have to be managed carefully with United now back in European competition and playing multiple times a week.
Patrick Dorgu started at left-back on Thursday night against Sabah and assisted Cunha's goal with an impressive cross. Dorgu often pushed high and held the width, allowing Cunha to move into more central areas where he likes to operate.
Dorgu is quite athletic and can get up and down the touchline constantly throughout the game. He is a solid player with a wide range of qualities. He has obviously been used on the left wing by Carrick, but being used as an attacking left-back is a role that suits him.
Although the likes of Diogo Dalot, Mazraoui and Martinez can play at left-back, and perhaps even Ayden Heaven, all of those players shine more in different positions. Dorgu should be Shaw's understudy.
Joshua Zirkzee looked bright after coming on against Sabah FK and showed some real glimpses of quality.
Zirkzee has had a turbulent time at Old Trafford, and United were open to selling the forward. While he is not suited to the Premier League, he can offer Carrick a lot in the Champions League.
Some of his best performances in a United shirt came in United's Europa League campaign two seasons ago. In European games, it is often slower and more technical, and that suits Zirkzee.
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