Manchester United begin Champions League campaign with 4-0 win over Sabah

Manchester United marked their return to the Champions League with a convincing 4-0 victory over Azerbaijani side Sabah at Old Trafford.

Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez were on target as United secured their first win in their opening match under the competition’s new league format.

The result came in Manchester United’s first Champions League appearance under the revised system. Their previous participation in the competition came in the 2023-24 season, when it was played under the former format.

Since making his Manchester United debut in 2020, Fernandes has been the most productive midfielder for goals and assists in major European competitions. The Portugal international has scored 23 times and provided 21 assists during that period.

Changes to the starting line-ups

United made several changes to their team, with Sesko included from the start and Marcus Rashford named among the substitutes.

Patrick Dorgu also began the match, replacing Luke Shaw in the starting line-up.

Sabah, meanwhile, made Champions League history by naming a starting XI containing 11 players of different nationalities.

United take control

United took the lead in the 27th minute when Dorgu delivered an accurate cross into the area. Cunha met it with his foot and guided the ball into the Sabah net to give the home side the advantage.

Fernandes doubled United’s lead three minutes before half-time. Youri Tielemans found him inside the penalty area, and the midfielder finished the move by placing the ball beyond the Sabah goalkeeper.

United added a third moments before the interval. Bryan Mbeumo supplied the pass for Sesko, who rounded the goalkeeper before putting the ball into an empty net.

The hosts completed the scoring through Martinez after the Sabah goalkeeper made an error. The ball struck him and fell into the path of the Manchester United defender, who finished to make it 4-0.

The victory gave Manchester United their first three points of this Champions League campaign.