Man Utd 4-0 Sabah: Winning return to Champions League as Benjamin Sesko scores again for Michael Carrick's side

11.09.2026, 02:11 skysports.com

Manchester United made a winning return to the Champions League as they beat Sabah FC in style with a 4-0 victory at Old Trafford.

The Azerbaijani side started brightly but Matheus Cunha converted Patrick Dorgu's 27th-minute cross and, although Joy-Lance Mickels should have levelled, two goals late in the first half from Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko put United in total control.

Michael Carrick made changes in the second half with the points secure but there was still time for Lisandro Martinez to smash home from close range after some flashy play from Joshua Zirkzee, who produced an eye-catching cameo. Signs of that United swagger.

With goal difference a potentially significant factor in the league phase of this Champions League format, this was a fine night's work on their return. It is Atletico Madrid away next in Europe but there are bigger matters to attend to before that.

It is over 1000 days since United competed in a Champions League game but this, their 300th in Europe's premier club competition, was not too taxing for Carrick's men. It will be tougher against rivals Manchester City on Sunday - but so will his team selection.

Some of the calls are obvious. Fernandes starred again and the sight of him combining with the equally intelligent Youri Tielemans for United's second was encouraging. The Belgian produced perhaps his best 45 minutes at Old Trafford. But others pressed their case too.

Sesko scored after coming off the bench against Everton and looked sharp here in his first start of the season. With Marcus Rashford also available, and Cunha getting a confidence-boosting goal, there are some interesting decisions ahead for the United boss.

Dorgu enjoyed himself at left-back with Luke Shaw missing from the squad but he was able to play as a de facto winger given United's superiority. It will be more challenging against City's attack but Carrick and his players go into that with confidence restored.

27 - GOAL! Cunha converts Dorgu's cross at the near post

36 - SITTER! Mickels nods wide from inside the six-yard box

42 - GOAL! Fernandes makes it two from Tielemans' pass

45 - GOAL! Mbeumo puts Sesko in to round the goalkeeper

68 - GOAL! Zirkzee's backheel finds Martinez who smashes it in

Man Utd boss Michael Carrick speaking in the press conference:

"I think it was kind of what we set out to achieve, good performance, individually and collectively throughout the game, the boys that started, the boys that came on pitch, clean sheet, goals, exciting football. A good night all round.

"Results-wise, it has not been the start that what we wanted. We wanted more points in the league. But performance-wise, it has been a lot of things we are looking for.

"Collectively, as a team, we have done a lot of the right things and that is why were are excited about what the season will bring. It is really encouraging for me."

On the performance of Benjamin Sesko…

"He definitely offers a different kind of threat, that is the beauty of it really, we know what Ben gives us and there are not many who can give us what he gives us. Speed, physicality, ability to play on the last line and run in behind. Great to have him back."

Sabah head coach Valdas Dambrauskas speaking in the press conference:

"I didn't feel like we were shaking or scared, we tried to play, for the whole 90 minutes we did that. We were escaping from time to time from United pressure.

"We will all go home thinking we could have done better, especially the result. The result could have been a little bit smaller.

"We did not have enough courage probably from the back line to get up. Our centre-backs stayed too deep, not afraid but maybe from inexperience we were over-evaluating the opponent.

"Because when you don't squeeze that space and you allow those players to turn and run it is almost impossible to stop them."

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