Manchester United celebrated their return to the UEFA Champions League with a dominant 4–0 victory over competition debutants Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday evening. Playing in front of 74,310 spectators, Michael Carrick’s side launched their league-phase campaign in relentless fashion against the Azerbaijani champions. It took 27 minutes for the home side to breach Sabah’s stubborn setup, but once Matheus Cunha buried the opening goal, the Red Devils took firm control of their first-ever competitive fixture against a club from Azerbaijan.
Carrick’s side controlled 61 percent of possession and accumulated an expected goals tally well above their opponents, effectively stifling Valdas Dambrauskas’ visitors and preventing them from registering a single shot on goal. Benjamin Šeško doubled his tally for the season with an adept finish, patiently waiting for his moment before rounding Sabah goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov. Šeško had earlier come agonizingly close, steering a cushioned volley just wide after receiving a Patrick Dorgu delivery created by Youri Tielemans’ clever reverse pass. Lisandro Martínez capped off a slick move for another goal, capitalizing on a subtle backheel from substitute Joshua Zirkzee.
The fixture allowed Carrick to integrate returning players and young talent throughout the second half. Mason Mount made his season debut as a half-time replacement for Tielemans, while Kobbie Mainoo departed in the 64th minute for Andrey Santos, who brought composure to the midfield. Fresh faces Shea Lacey and Harry Amass entered the action in the 72nd minute for Bryan Mbeumo and Dorgu, with defender Amass turning in a flawless passing display without misplacing a single ball. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford sat as an unused substitute alongside Karl Darlow, Dermot Mee, Ayden Heaven, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire and Tyler Fletcher, having been monitored prior to kick-off following a minor physical issue sustained against Everton.
The match also featured several noteworthy statistical milestones across the pitch. This match marked 4 years and 291 days since Carrick’s first Champions League match in charge as caretaker manager back in November 2021—a gap rivaled in modern times only by Gian Piero Gasperini, Vincenzo Montella and Sergei Semak. Captain Bruno Fernandes continued his remarkable European record, bringing his contribution to 15 goals in 19 Champions League appearances for the club; his average of a goal or assist every 100 minutes is surpassed in club history only by Ruud van Nistelrooy among players with over 500 minutes in the competition. Adding to the unique occasion at Old Trafford, three Manchester United players wore special shirts during the match.
United navigated the clash successfully despite significant squad absences, with Carlos Baleba, Matthijs de Ligt and Amad Diallo all sidelined until after the upcoming international break, and Manuel Ugarte recovering from summer knee ligament surgery. For Baku-based Sabah, who were only founded in 2017 and earned their place in Europe following a league and cup double last term, the night proved a stern test against elite opposition. Defensive efforts from Tymoteusz Puchacz, Rahman Dashdamirov, Steve Solvet and Akim Zedadka couldn’t stem the flow, leaving the debutants empty-handed as United secured all three points.
