Sports

Manchester United Cruise Past Champions League Debutants Sabah Ahead of Manchester Derby

By David Hytner

Manchester United returned to the Champions League with a comfortable 4-0 win over Azerbaijani debutants Sabah at Old Trafford, easing concerns after last weekend's late Premier League draw at Everton and setting up confidence ahead of Sunday's derby against Manchester City.

Sabah, a club that did not exist a decade ago and defied expectations to win last season's Azerbaijani title after finishing 41 points off the top in 2024-25, arrived at Old Trafford under manager Valdas Dambrauskas. Despite the achievement, they were no match for a clinical United side managed by Michael Carrick.

Matheus Cunha opened the scoring midway through the first half, finishing off a move started by Bruno Fernandes, who chased down a long ball to keep it in play. United then struck twice more before halftime. Fernandes scored the second after being set up by Youri Tielemans, who had burst forward from a Cunha pass. The third goal came when Fernandes played a first-time pass to Bryan Mbeumo, who set up Benjamin Sesko, making his first start of the season at center forward. Sesko rounded the goalkeeper to score, capping a dominant opening period.

Sabah, playing an attacking 4-3-3 formation rather than sitting back, had a golden opportunity in the 35th minute when Joy-Lance Mickels headed wide from a Kaheem Parris cross after getting free of Noussair Mazraoui. Ivan Lepinjica also impressed in midfield for the visitors, though defensive lapses proved costly throughout the match.

Carrick made minimal changes to his starting lineup, giving Sesko his first start of the campaign while keeping faith with Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, seemingly to prepare them for the derby. Mason Mount made his season debut as a second-half substitute for Tielemans, with Carrick calling it