Manchester United marked their return to the Champions League after nearly three years with a convincing 4-0 victory over competition debutants Sabah at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils had been absent from Europe’s top club competition since December 2023, when their defeat to Bayern Munich confirmed their group-stage elimination under former manager Erik ten Hag.
Against the Azerbaijani champions, United showed their superior quality as Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko all scored before the break, while Lisandro Martinez added a fourth after half-time.
United initially struggled to find their rhythm, with some frustration evident around Old Trafford, but they eventually broke the deadlock in the 27th minute.
Kaheem Parris lost possession, allowing Fernandes to release Patrick Dorgu, whose cross from the left was met by Cunha, who guided the ball into the net.
Sabah almost responded immediately when Parris controlled the ball before delivering a left-footed cross towards Joy-Lance Mickels. However, the forward inexplicably headed wide of Senne Lammens’ post.
That miss proved costly as United took control before half-time.
Fernandes doubled the advantage in the 42nd minute, finishing calmly after Youri Tielemans found him inside the box.
Three minutes later, Bryan Mbeumo put Sesko through on goal. The Slovenian striker kept his composure, rounded goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov and rolled the ball into an empty net to make it 3-0.
Pokatilov denied Cunha a second goal shortly after the restart, but Sabah were punished again in the 68th minute.
The goalkeeper lost track of the ball following Joshua Zirkzee’s near-post flick, allowing Martinez to react quickest and fire home United’s fourth.
Sabah had opportunities to claim a consolation goal, with Mickels going close and Orphe Mbina seeing a header brush the top of the crossbar.
United, however, controlled the closing stages with ease and, importantly ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby against Manchester City, came through the game without any injury concerns.
United Outclass Champions League Newcomers
United were playing their first league-phase match in the revamped Champions League after two seasons away, while Sabah were appearing in a major UEFA competition for the first time.
Sabah also made Champions League history by naming a starting XI consisting of players from 11 different countries.
Their lineup featured representatives from Algeria, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Poland, Rwanda, Serbia, South Africa and Uzbekistan.
Despite that milestone, Sabah were overwhelmed by a strong United side.
The hosts finished with 21 attempts and 3.67 expected goals, compared with Sabah’s 11 shots and 0.89 xG. The visitors could perhaps have made the contest more competitive had Mickels converted his first-half opportunity.
Fernandes’ goal effectively ended any realistic hope of a Sabah comeback.
Since joining United in 2020, the Portuguese captain has recorded 23 goals and 21 assists in major UEFA competitions, the highest figures among midfielders in that period, despite United not featuring in Europe during the 2025-26 campaign.
United’s three first-half goals also produced a notable statistical achievement, with six different players registering a goal involvement in the opening half — only the second time the club have recorded such a feat in a Champions League match.