Manchester United begin Champions League return with emphatic win over Sabah

Manchester United marked their return to the UEFA Champions League with a 4-0 victory over Sabah FK at Old Trafford, while Bayern Munich and Como also made winning starts on Thursday.

Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in the 27th minute, converting Patrick Dorgu’s cross, before captain Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez added further goals.

Sabah, making their Champions League debut, briefly threatened to expose United’s defensive weaknesses when Joy-Lance Mickels was left unmarked at the back post. However, he headed wide from fewer than five yards.

United took control before half-time. Youri Tielemans set up Fernandes for the second goal, while Sesko then collected Bryan Mbeumo’s through ball, rounded goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov and finished into an empty net.

Martinez added the fourth midway through the second half after a loose ball ricocheted off Pokatilov and a defender following Joshua Zirkzee’s backheel.

Michael Carrick was able to introduce Harry Amass and Shea Lacey for their Champions League debuts as he managed his squad ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.

“I think it was perfect for everyone, especially our fans,” Sesko told TNT Sports. “It means a lot to them, especially when they see so many goals. I think it was great for us in general to give us more motivation for the upcoming games.”

He added: “I think the confidence boost is definitely big. It’s important to recover good and focus on the derby.”

Bayern overcome Bodo/Glimt

Bayern Munich eventually secured a 5-0 win over Bodo/Glimt after being made to work in the first half.

Jamal Musiala broke the deadlock shortly after the interval, scoring his first goal since collapsing during pre-season because of a neurological condition.

“Scoring a goal — pure happiness,” Musiala told DAZN. “I just want to perform well again… I just want to get back to my level step by step, playing with a sense of ease, joy, and fun on the pitch.”

Harry Kane then extended his scoring run to eight consecutive Champions League matches when he headed in from Michael Olise’s free-kick. Alphonso Davies followed by shooting into the bottom corner after Olise’s corner had been only partially cleared.

Olise produced a fine finish seven minutes from time before Bodo/Glimt’s Odin Bjortuft was sent off. The France international then completed the scoring with his second goal.

Como impress on debut

Como enjoyed an outstanding first Champions League appearance, beating RB Leipzig 4-1 in northern Italy.

Martin Baturina, Tasos Douvikas and Assane Diao put the hosts in control before Andrija Maksimovic pulled one back for Leipzig. Maximo Perrone restored Como’s three-goal advantage late on.

Lens twice recovered from conceding to defeat 10-man Slavia Prague 3-2. Danijel Sturm scored both of Slavia’s goals, but late strikes from Florian Thauvin and Ruben Aguilar secured victory for Lens.

Mikulas Konecny was sent off shortly before Sturm’s first goal.

Fenerbahce drew 1-1 with Roma, as did PSV Eindhoven and Shakhtar Donetsk. Fenerbahce coach Ismail Kartal resigned after the Istanbul match, during which a bottle was thrown at him from the crowd, but president Aziz Yildirim said he had rejected the resignation.