Manchester United kicked off their Champions League group stage with a resounding victory against Azerbaijani side Sabah at Old Trafford, edging them 4-0.
This match marked United's return to the Champions League after a three-year absence, while Sabah were making their debut at this stage of the tournament. UEFA highlighted that the Azerbaijani team had navigated four qualifying rounds to reach the group phase.
First half - United's three-goal blitz
The hosts steadily asserted their dominance and broke the deadlock in the 27th minute.
Mateus Cunha seized on a pass from Patrick Dorgu to finish emphatically, putting United ahead 1-0.
Bruno Fernandes doubled their lead just before half-time, slotting home a well-crafted move that was initiated by a pass from Youri Tielemans—2-0.
Moments later, Benjamin Sesko made it three, capitalising on a delivery from Brian Mbemo just before the half-time whistle.
This moment was particularly notable for Sesko, who scored his first European goal for United after starting up front in the Champions League for the first time since his goal against Everton in the Premier League.
As the teams headed into the break, the score stood at 3-0.
Martinez seals the deal
In the second half, manager Michael Carrick opted to manage the fitness of key players.
Mason Mount replaced Tielemans shortly after the break, with further substitutions seeing Joshua Zirkzee come on for Sesko and Andre Santos taking the place of Kobbie Mainoo.
United stretched their lead to four goals in the 68th minute.
After a scramble in the Sabah penalty area, Lisandro Martinez was quickest to react, driving the ball into the net—4-0.
From that point on, the hosts comfortably saw the match out, with Sabah failing to mount any significant challenge against United's solid defence.
