Manchester United made a commanding return to the Champions League on Thursday, defeating Azerbaijani champions Sabah 4-0 at Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez were all on target as United took full advantage of a favourable opening fixture to begin their European campaign with a convincing victory.
The Red Devils had endured a modest start to their Premier League season, collecting only four points from their first three matches against Hull, Ipswich and Everton. However, the gulf in experience between the three-time European champions and Sabah became increasingly evident once United found their rhythm.
Sabah, who were appearing in the Champions League proper for the first time after progressing through four qualifying rounds, initially showed little fear in front of a crowd of around 74,000 at Old Trafford.
Their resistance lasted until the 27th minute when United finally broke through. Patrick Dorgu, deputising for Luke Shaw, delivered a dangerous cross into the area and Cunha finished at the near post to give the hosts the lead.
United then effectively settled the contest with two goals in the final stages of the first half.
Fernandes doubled the advantage after combining neatly with Youri Tielemans before calmly finding the net. It was the United captain’s fourth goal in two home appearances this season.
Three minutes later, Benjamin Sesko marked his first start of the campaign with a goal. Bryan Mbeumo released the Slovenian forward, who rounded Sabah goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov before rolling the ball into an unguarded net.
With the result largely secured, United were able to manage the second half while giving several key players a rest ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby against Manchester City.
They still added a fourth goal, although Sabah goalkeeper Pokatilov will want to forget the incident. Joshua Zirkzee’s backheel attempt from Fernandes’ free-kick was blocked, but the loose ball became trapped around the goalkeeper’s feet. Martinez reacted quickest to finish into an empty net.
For Sabah coach Valdas Dambrauskas, the occasion represented a remarkable return to Old Trafford. His journey into elite European football began with work at Manchester United Soccer Schools alongside several part-time jobs.
Dambrauskas had admitted before the match that Sabah’s progression into the Champions League had come ahead of schedule, having reached the competition without previously playing in either the Europa League or Conference League.
United manager Michael Carrick was able to rotate his squad, with Shaw, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford left out, while Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo, Mbeumo and Sesko were withdrawn during the second half.
The victory provides United with an ideal start, although much sterner challenges await. Their next Champions League assignment will come away to Atletico Madrid in five weeks.
The result also completed an impressive opening round for English clubs, with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City also beginning their campaigns with victories. AFP.
