Manchester United made light work for Azerbaijani side Sabah on their return to the Champions League, with Benjamin Sesko sending a reminder to Michael Carrick with a well-taken goal
Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United celebrates
Benjamin Sesko took his goal well (Image: Richard Sellers/Getty Images)
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When Benjamin Sesko was sent clear by Byran Mbeumo’s pass just before half-time, it never crossed his mind to fall under the rash challenge of goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov.
He took the contact, did all he could to stay upright and rewarded himself with a routine finish. It is what natural-born central strikers do.
From a formality of a night against hapless opponents, Michael Carrick learnt little of significance. But he was reminded that Sesko is a line-leader, an identikit number nine, even though he does not have it on his back.
The Slovenian attacker has yet to start a Premier League match this season but will surely become the regular spearhead of this attack. And not just on the evidence of a good game against a team that will give target practice to everyone they meet in this phase of the Champions League.
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Sesko scored a classic centre-forward’s goal when he came on as a late substitute and has been clinical for this United side since Carrick took over. And every angry-looking celebration tells you that he believes he should be starting every game.
It will be interesting to see if Carrick goes with him against Manchester City. And as soon as Sesko had hit United’s third of the night, the manager’s thoughts must have drifted towards Sunday’s challenge against Manchester City. Because this turned out to be as easy a task as everyone expected.
The nature of the game - a comfortable 4-0 win - gave Carrick the chance to try a new defensive combination but different personnel did not completely erase familiar failings.
Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United evades the challenge of Stas Pokatilov of Sabah Baku FK
Benjamin Sesko waltzed around the Sabah goalkeeper to score(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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The failings were never going to be costly against an extremely limited attacking unit but there was still a distinct lack of assurance on the rare occasions the champions of Azerbaijan threatened to cause an offensive problem.
You would certainly expect to see Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot return to the starting line-up for the Manchester derby. And if he is fit, Luke Shaw - allowed to have a night off after what must have been a particularly severe case of cramp against Everton - will probably return to the side.
In attacking mode, Patrick Dorgu was decent - setting up the opening goal for Matheus Cunha - but defensively, he was not convincing. He was exposed a couple of times, not least when Joy-Lance Mickels somehow failed to head home a sitter that would have levelled the score.
Players of Manchester United pose for a team group photograph during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester United and Sabah FC
Michael Carrick rotated his team for the Sabah game(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Predictably, regret for Mickels and Sabah arrived fairly instantly, Bruno Fernandes applying side-footed justice to a nice Youri Tielemans assist. And after Sesko’s copybook finish, any pretence that it could be a meaningful contest had to be shelved.
It was then just a case of how ruthless United would be in the second half. Sesko was withdrawn just after the hour mark - which might augur well for his chances of making Sunday's starting line-up - and it was over to Joshua Zirkzee to have a crack up top. And Zirkzee was involved in a comedy fourth for United that was eventually claimed by Lisandro Martinez.
That was the signal for Carrick to give an outing to youngsters Harry Amass and Shea Lacey and they enjoyed a nice 20 minutes in the Champions League limelight.
It was a pleasant end to a pleasant, if bloodless, return to the grand European stage.
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