Manchester United 4-0 Sabah FK: Red Devils breeze past debutants on their UCL return
Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans embrace after scoring United's second goal. (Image Courtesy of James Gill - Danehouse via Getty Images)
Thursday night European football made its way back to Old Trafford, and perhaps the opponent would indicate another stint in one of UEFA's secondary club competitions.
In fact, Sabah FK were formed just over three months after United's last European trophy win, following their Europa League success in 2017.
Thankfully for United, it was indeed the Champions League anthem that once again graced the Theatre of Dreams, with goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko enough to kickstart their campaign with a vital three points.
Team News:
Manchester United -
There were no chances taken by Michael Carrick against their debuting opponents, with four changes following the 2-2 draw at Everton on Sunday.
Three of United's alterations came in the backline, which has been a point for contention so far this season. With no Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu was elected to play left back for the first time under Carrick, whilst Mazraoui was brought in at right back and Leny Yoro made his first start of the season to partner Lisandro Martinez.
Benjamin Sesko, fresh from scoring the would-be winner at the Hill Dickinson, was also drafted in for his first start of the season.
Sabah Baku -
Sabah's Lithuanian Head Coach has made countless headlines for his unique path to the Old Trafford dugout for a Champions League game, stemming back to the Lithuanian equivalent of the game show 'Who wants to be a Millionaire?'
Valdas Dambrauskas also made history on two fronts, not only by becoming the first Lithuanian manager in the Champions League proper, but also by being the first to name a Champions League XI with 11 different nationalities.
Kazakhstan, Poland, South Africa, Azerbaijan, Algeria, Serbia, Croatia, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, Jamaica and Rwanda were all represented in the Sabah team, with four changes made from their league win over Zira.
Story of the Match:
Manchester United knew they were going to dominate possession, but had to ensure they made it count to break down their opponents.
Early on, Matheus Cunha was the first to get in behind Sabah's narrow backline, with an acre of space on the right-hand side of the area for the Brazilian to sting the hands of Stas Pokatilov at the near post.
Bruno Fernandes was then uncharacteristically offbeat with his final ball as he was played in behind by a ball over the top, and under no pressure failed to find Sesko with the cutback from the byline.
As the game entered its second quarter, United upped the intensity and started knocking on the door of the Sabah goal, with Bryan Mbeumo's effort from the edge of the area saved by the keeper.
Just a minute later, the hosts found themselves ahead after a loose pass from Kaheem Parris was picked up by United and played out towards Patrick Dorgu. The Dane's delivery was stabbed home at the near post by Matheus Cunha, who, after a shaky start to the season, relished in the moment of getting back on the scoresheet.
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Matheus Cunha of Manchester United celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester United and Sabah FC at Old Trafford on September 10, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Matheus Cunha of Manchester United celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester United and Sabah FC at Old Trafford on September 10, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
At 1-0, Sabah would have their best opportunity of the game as Parris's cross stood up to the back post and found Rwandan International Joy-Lance Mickels, with the self-professed Man United fan heading into the side netting completely unmarked.
United would punish Sabah just before the break with a slick move that once again stemmed from a turnover in possession after a loose pass.
This time, Cunha on the left found the run of Tielemans, before the Belgian checked back with the reverse pass to tee up Bruno Fernandes to sweep home with his right foot from 10 yards.
United would then go on to grab a second in quick succession to sew up the points before the break. Bryan Mbeumo's ball sliced open the Sabah backline and found Sesko, who rounded the goalkeeper and rolled the ball into the unguarded net.
The second and third goals before the break sparked a rare sensation for the modern-day Manchester United fan - comfort.
Job done in 45 minutes:
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates scoring his teams second goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester United and Sabah FC at Old Trafford on September 10, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates scoring his teams second goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester United and Sabah FC at Old Trafford on September 10, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Unsurprisingly, with a Manchester Derby to come on Sunday, the second half saw a more conservative performance, with the game resemblig a routine training session at times.
There were first competitive appearances of the season for Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee, the latter of which directly involved in a comical fourth goal.
The Dutchman's audacious backheel across goal was cut out by Aden McCarthy, but Kazakhstan international goalkeeper Pokatilov lost sight of the ball between his legs, rotating a full 360 degrees in search of it before Lisandro Martinez apologetically smashed the ball into an empty net.
Additionally, Champions League debuts were handed to Harry Amass and Shea Lacey, and United attained their first clean sheet of the season despite late chances for Mickels and substitute Orphe Mbina.
Mbina's effort perhaps highlighted United's still-present defensive frailties, with another free header from eight yards out was squandered by the Azerbaijani side. Had Mickels netted his header at 1-0, then the hosts could have been in for a much more frustrating (and perhaps damaging) night at the office.
As it was, it was a routine victory for the home side, and a big three points towards progression with a tough League Phase Schedule to come.
Michael Carrick will be only too aware that he will not get another night as straightforward as that in the Champions League, with a trip to the Wanda Metropolitano to come in October as United will face off with Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid.
However, all eyes will turn to Sunday, and another Manchester Derby as United welcome a City side who have had an additional 48 hours to prepare for the clash after their Champions League opener on Tuesday against Porto.
Back in January, goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu earned United a monumental victory over City in what was Carrick's first game in charge of his current stint.
As for Sabah, they will play their first home game of the campaign aganst Czech side Slavia Prague, in what will be seen as an opportunity to pick up their first-ever Champions League point(s).
Player of the Match - Patrick Dorgu:
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In his first appearance of the season, and his first time playing at left back under Carrick, the Danish international was a standout performer as he was heavily involved in the buildup to the first two goals.
Whilst the standard of opposition is less than what United will face in the League and Europe from here on in, it showcased the possibility that Dorgu could well prove to be a short-term option in the much-pondered left-back position.