Manchester United Win Big Against Sabah In Champions League Opener

Manchester United began their Champions League campaign, thrashing Sabah 4- 0 at Old Trafford in the opener of the group stages

Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko, and Lisandro Martínez all on the scoresheet as Michael Carrick’s side produced a dominant attacking display and kept a clean sheet.

Parris gave the ball away cheaply, and United immediately launched a quick counterattack. Fernandes released Patrick Dorgu down the left, and the defender’s first-time cross was turned in at the near post by Cunha. It was Cunha’s first Champions League goal for Manchester United and gave the hosts the reward their growing pressure deserved.

The second goal came off a combined effort from Dorgu and Cunha before finding Youri Tielemans, who managed to slip a pass into the path of Fernandes despite being under pressure. The United captain kept his composure and side-footed into the bottom right corner.

United netted a third just before half-time as Bryan Mbeumo did brilliantly to control a long ball and immediately played Sesko through on goal. The Slovenian striker rounded Pokatilov before calmly finishing into an empty net. 

Sabah's flaws cost them the fourth goal. Joshua Zirkzee moved into the six-yard box and backheeled the ball to on-rushing Lisandro Martínez. The ball was poorly saved, and Martínez reacted quickest to tap home the loose ball from close range.

Manchester United were playing against Sabah for the first time. The Premier League side has not participated in the competition since the 2023/24 season, when they were eliminated in the group stages. 

Overview

Sabah made a great effort to stay in the game before Manchester United dominated, and capitalised on their opponents' flaws. One instance was Martinez's goal. Pokatilov poorly saved Zirkzee's effort and allowed the loose ball unguarded long enough for a tap-in.