Manchester United marked their long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League in emphatic fashion, sweeping Azerbaijani debutants Sabah FC aside in a 4-0 victory on Thursday night at a packed Old Trafford. In their first outing in Europe’s elite competition since the 2023-24 campaign, the Red Devils didn’t waste any time asserting control to open their 2026-27 league phase schedule. Goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko, and Lisandro Martinez capped a dominant evening on September 10, 2026, putting United firmly on course on the European stage.
The fixture pitted United against a Sabah FC side whose astonishing rise has captivated European football over the past year. The Azerbaijani champions arrived in Manchester having clinched a historic domestic double in the 2025-26 season—ending Qarabag’s long-standing dominance to reach the Champions League league phase for the first time in their nine-year history. However, Old Trafford proved unforgiving against the competition newcomers. Bruno Fernandes orchestrated the evening with authority, continuing a stellar individual period after becoming only the second Portuguese player after Cristiano Ronaldo to win the PFA Player of the Year award. Fernandes was joined on the scoresheet by Cunha, Sesko, and Martinez as United completed a resounding victory.
The win provided crucial relief for Manchester United amidst a turbulent period off the pitch. The club recently concluded an investigation into organised ticket touting, revoking 685 season tickets while issuing reduced penalties or final warnings to an additional 464 supporters. That decision comes amidst growing fan criticism and a planned protest ahead of Sunday’s crucial Premier League derby against Manchester City. Furthermore, United needed a convincing response following a setback in domestic play, where newly-promoted Hull City stunned them 2-0 thanks to goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy.
United’s four-goal display was part of a packed opening round across the 2026-27 Champions League schedule. Elsewhere in matchday one, Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City earned a 2-0 away win against FC Porto courtesy of an Erling Haaland brace at a rain-soaked Estádio do Dragão. Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid secured a 2-1 win against Inter Milan with strikes from Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde, while Bayern Munich romped to a 5-1 victory over Bodø/Glimt. Barcelona swept Feyenoord 5-1 thanks to a Raphinha brace, PSG defeated Slovan Bratislava 6-1 behind a Ferran Torres hat-trick, and Italian side Como marked their debut with an upset win over RB Leipzig.
