Owen Hargreaves has spoken highly about Manchester United following the club's 4-0 win against Sabah, and explained how United could set up against Manchester City.
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Manchester United started their Champions League campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory against Sabah FK.
The Azerbaijani team did well in the opening stages to deprive United of chances, but Michael Carrick's side finally found the back of the net after 27 minutes through Matheus Cunha.
United ended the second half fantastically, with both Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko getting on the scoresheet, which meant United took a 3-0 lead into the break.
United maintained control of the game during the second half, and Lisandro Martinez scored United's fourth and final goal of the evening.
Hargreaves praises United's performance
Owen Hargreaves has spoken highly of United's performance against Sabah on Thursday night.
Hargreaves was impressed by United's third goal, which was scored by Sesko. That goal could have given Michael Carrick an idea of how he could set his team up on Sunday afternoon against Manchester City in the derby.
"It goes back to all those ball players that they have in there. Again, it's Bruno speeding up the play with that first-time pass and Bruno for the ball in behind. Šeško does the right thing, takes it around the goalkeeper, and it's an easy finish," Hargreaves explained.
"But I think when you got Cunha playing in there, when you got Bruno, when you got Tielemans, and you got four really, really good ball players.
"That's why it's important Šeško stays high and makes runs in behind. He scores goals if he makes those runs, and I thought he did it brilliantly there. Got a really good one on the weekend against Everton, and I just like the personnel in behind him.
"Obviously, Cunha can play there as a false nine and drop in, but I thought Cunha looked terrific, coming enough left, supporting Bruno as a number ten.
"Dorgu covered the whole width because they dominated the ball, and I just thought the personnel really worked for United today."
Manchester United have started their European campaign with a convincing victory at Old Trafford.roundtable.ioManchester United have started their European campaign with a convincing victory at Old Trafford.
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Should Sesko start against Man City?
While Sesko is not yet fully fit, he could be crucial to United's game plan against Manchester City, whether that be as a starter or coming on later on in the game.
As Hargreaves explained, Sesko's ability to make runs in behind adds an extra dynamic to United's attack. Given the fact that United will likely try to hurt their local rivals in transition, Sesko's pace could prove to be crucial.
Luke Shaw will likely come back into the team, and given the fact that Marcus Rashford was rested, it likely means the Carrington graduate will come back into the starting line-up on derby day.
There is quite a big chance Cunha will operate as the centre-forward, with Sesko coming off the bench later on in the game instead of starting as he looks to build fitness.
In an ideal world, Sesko would start, but he could be equally effective coming off the bench. Sesko has scored many goals so far in his United career coming on as a substitute, and his pace against tired legs could cause serious problems for Enzo Maresca's side.
Hargreaves rightly praised Tielemans as well. The Belgian midfielder was exceptional on Thursday night against Sabah and is forming a nice connection with Kobbie Mainoo. There is, however, a good chance Tielemans will be on the bench against Man City.
United will have to do a lot more work out of possession, and it's a game that could suit Andrey Santos quite nicely. United will likely sit in a compact block, and the Brazilian midfielder is quite good at winning the ball back in small spaces.
That being said, Tielemans was taken off at half-time against Sabah, potentially implying Carrick wanted to keep him fresh. While he does have weaknesses out of possession, his impressive passing ability could help release United's forwards on the counter-attack.