Manchester United celebrate Champions League return with victory

Manchester United enjoyed a triumphant return to the Champions League with a resounding 4-0 victory against Azerbaijan's Sabah at Old Trafford. The match, played on Thursday, 10 September 2026, marked a low-key comeback for United, who were able to rest several players in preparation for the upcoming Manchester derby.

Manager Michael Carrick expressed satisfaction with the performance, stating that the team played some excellent football. Matheus Cunha opened the scoring, capitalizing on a cross from Patrick Dorgu, who excelled in his first start at left-back. Benjamin Sesko, who also started for the first time this season, netted the third goal, showcasing United's attacking prowess.

Bruno Fernandes, the captain who had been nominated for the Ballon d'Or, added to his tally with a goal that underscored his importance to the team, particularly after their recent European exile. Carrick noted that Fernandes never left the pitch until the victory was secured, illustrating his commitment.

Despite being dominant, the match also provided a learning experience for Carrick, who needed to rotate his squad to manage the greater workload of the season. Other notable contributions came from Mason Mount, who made his season debut, and younger players Harry Amass and Shea Lacey, who came on late in the game.

Sabah, founded in 2017, faced a challenging evening but had moments of promise. Joy-Lance Mickels came close to leveling the score, only to see his header hit the side-netting, while Orphe Mbina later struck the bar with a header. The Azerbaijani side showed resilience and counter-attacking flair despite the heavy defeat.

As United aimed for cleaner performances in defense, Carrick noted the importance of the clean sheet, though he acknowledged that luck played a role. Looking ahead, United's next fixture against Atletico Madrid is expected to provide a more accurate gauge of their capabilities in this competition. With this win, United matched their total Champions League victories from their last campaign with one win already secured.