+34
Man United put on a dominant display at Old Trafford, securing a 4-0 victory over Sabah in their return to the Champions League. Goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko, and Lisandro Martínez highlighted the significant difference in quality between the experienced Premier League side and the newly arrived Azerbaijani champions.
Man United 4 Sabah 0 MANCHESTER UNITED CRUISED to a 4-0 win on their return to the Champions League for the first time in three seasons as Azerbaijani champions Sabah were taught a lesson on their debut among Europe’s elite on Thursday.
Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martínez were on target at Old Trafford as the Red Devils took advantage of a kind draw to get their Champions League campaign up and running. United have made an uninspiring start to the Premier League, picking up just four points from their opening three games against newly-promoted Hull and Ipswich and a trip to Everton.
Yet the difference in class between the three-time European champions and a club only formed nine years ago told once Cunha opened the floodgates on 27 minutes. Sabah navigated four rounds of qualifying to earn their night at the Theatre of Dreams. For coach Valdas Dambrauskas it was a return to Old Trafford after his fairytale rise to the Champions League began with a role at Manchester United Soccer Schools, while working several part-time jobs just to make ends meet.
Dambrauskas conceded even before the match that Sabah had leapfrogged a few stages in their development by reaching the Champions League proper before they had even experienced the Europa or Conference League. Bruno Fernandes was also among the goal-scorers for Man United. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo United boss Michael Carrick could barely have asked for a more forgiving fixture with the Manchester derby against City to come on Sunday.
Carrick could afford to leave out Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford, while Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo, Bryan Mbeumo and Sesko were handed a rest in the second half. Undaunted by the 74,000 crowd in United’s first Champions League outing for nearly three years, Sabah started confidently. Advertisement However, they could not live with the Premier League giants once the Red Devils clicked up through the gears.
Patrick Dorgu impressed in Shaw’s absence and whipped in the cross from which Cunha steered home the opening goal at the near post. Two goals in three minutes just before the break killed off the contest. A neat interchange between Tielemans and Fernandes teed up the United captain to slot in his fourth goal in two home appearances this season.
Mbeumo then freed Sesko to round Stas Pokatilov and roll into an empty net to mark his first start of the season with a goal. United could afford to coast through the second period but added to their lead thanks to a calamitous moment for Pokatilov. The danger for Sabah looked to have been averted when Joshua Zirkzee’s back heel from Fernandes’s scooped free-kick was blocked.
But the ball bobbled around the Kazakh goalkeeper’s feet, and he presented Martínez the chance to slam into an empty net. Much tougher tests of what United are capable of back at Europe’s top table await, starting with their next Champions League outing at Atlético Madrid in five weeks’ time. But victory capped a fine week for English clubs with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City also off to winning starts. – © AFP 2026 ****
Manchester United Sabah Champions League Matheus Cunha Bruno Fernandes
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Troy Parrott scores winning goal as Real Betis beat Lille 3-2 in Champions LeagueTroy Parrott scored the decisive goal as Real Betis twice came from behind to beat Lille 3-2 in the Champions League. Marc Bartra scored twice and Ethan Mbappé was sent off.
Read more »
Troy Parrott's Sharp Footwork and Crisp Finishing Prove Decisive in Champions League DebutIn a thrilling match at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, Troy Parrott showcased his elite striker qualities by scoring the winning goal for Real Betis against Lille. After missing a critical chance before halftime, Parrott maintained his composure and executed a precise shot in the 53rd minute, securing a 3-2 victory for his team. This performance marks a significant milestone in Parrott's career, building upon his promising start in Spanish football.
Read more »
Newcastle Edge Past Millwall to Reach League Cup Fourth Round in Thrilling FinishJoe Willock's stoppage‑time header saw Newcastle United beat Millwall 1‑0 in the third round of the League Cup, keeping the club's trophy run alive under new manager Matthias Jaissle.
Read more »
Valdas Dambrauskas: The Lithuanian dreamer who turned hardship into a Champions League ticketSabah manager Valdas Dambrauskas's rise from a student visa in London to leading the Azerbaijani champions in the Champions League is a tale of unyielding determination and community-rooted coaching. His journey, marked by multiple jobs to support his family and a commitment to developing young talent, culminated in a league title and a historic match against Manchester United.
Read more »