Manchester United marked their return to the UEFA Champions League after a three-year absence with an emphatic 4-0 victory over tournament debutants Sabah FK at Old Trafford. First-half goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko set a commanding tone while Lisandro Martinez sealed the win late in the second half.
Despite a sluggish start that drew minor frustration from the home crowd, United took control when Cunha tapped in Patrick Dorgu’s cross in the 27th minute. Captain Bruno Fernandes doubled the lead with a confident finish. Just before half-time Sesko rounded the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 effectively ending the contest.
Sesko’s performance was a major takeaway for United. Making his first start since March after battling a persistent shin injury 23-year-old Slovenian provided a physical edge that United’s attack had been missing. Head coach Michael Carrick praised his impact noting that Sesko’s height, speed and ability to push defenders back offer a completely different threat for opponents.
The comfortable margin allowed Carrick to utilize all five substitutions early, resting key players ahead of Sunday’s crucial Manchester derby against Manchester City. While beating the Azerbaijani champions was fully expected and it provided a much-needed confidence boost for a United squad that has struggled domestically securing just four points from their first three Premier League matches.
“It’s nice to have a clean sheet and obviously win the game” Carrick said, while acknowledging that far tougher European and domestic tests lie ahead.
Elsewhere in the Champions League the Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala made an emotional and triumphant return in a 5-0 thrashing of Bodø/Glimt.
Scoring his first goal of the season just 47 minutes in Musiala celebrated by tapping his head a poignant nod to his recent battle with absence seizures a neurological condition that caused him to collapse during two pre-season games. Assisted by Harry Kane and the German midfielder looked exceptionally sharp in his first start since his diagnosis was made public also signalling a strong return to form.
