Manchester United marked their return to the Champions League with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez were all on target as United took full advantage of a favourable opening fixture to launch their European campaign in style.
The victory provided a welcome boost for Michael Carrick’s side, who have made an unconvincing start to their Premier League campaign, collecting just four points from their opening three matches against newly promoted Hull and Ipswich, as well as Everton.
The gulf in experience between the three-time European champions and Sabah, a club founded only nine years ago, became evident once Cunha broke the deadlock in the 27th minute.
Sabah had navigated four qualifying rounds to earn their place among Europe’s elite and make their first appearance in the Champions League proper.
For Sabah coach Valdas Dambrauskas, the trip to Old Trafford was a personal milestone. His journey into the Champions League began with a stint at Manchester United Soccer Schools while juggling several part-time jobs to make ends meet.
Dambrauskas admitted before the game that Sabah had accelerated their development by reaching the Champions League before playing in either the Europa League or Conference League.
United could hardly have asked for a more favourable fixture with the Manchester derby against City looming on Sunday.
Carrick was able to rest several key players, including Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford, while Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo, Bryan Mbeumo and Sesko were withdrawn in the second half.
Sabah were unfazed by the intimidating 74,000 crowd and started confidently, but struggled once United increased the tempo.
Patrick Dorgu impressed in Shaw’s absence and delivered the cross from which Cunha finished at the near post to put United ahead.
The hosts then struck twice in three minutes before half-time to effectively settle the contest.
A neat combination between Tielemans and Fernandes released the United captain, who calmly slotted home his fourth goal in two home appearances this season.
Mbeumo then sent Sesko through, allowing the Slovenian forward to round goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov and roll the ball into an empty net for his first goal of the season.
United eased off after the break but added a fourth following a costly error from Pokatilov.
Sabah appeared to have dealt with the danger after Joshua Zirkzee’s backheel from Fernandes’ floated free-kick was blocked. However, the ball bounced awkwardly around the goalkeeper’s feet, allowing Martinez to pounce and fire into an empty net.
The win represents an ideal start to United’s Champions League campaign, although far sterner tests await. Their next European assignment will be a trip to Atletico Madrid in five weeks.
The victory also completed a strong opening week for English clubs in the competition, with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City also recording wins.
