Manchester United welcomed Sabah to Old Trafford for their first Champions League match of the 2026/2027 season.
First half
The game began with the away side surprisingly showing confidence on the ball and putting United under a little bit of pressure.
It took United eight minutes to create their first effort when Noussair Mazraoui played in Matheus Cunha, but his shot was turned round the post by the Sabah keeper. The home side increased the pressure, and Mazraoui, finding himself in dangerous positions, rifled the ball into the side of the net.
On 23 minutes, a wonderful pass over the top from Kobbie Mainoo found Bruno Fernandes in space, but his ball across goal could not find an unmarked Benjamin Sesko.
Bryan Mbeumo scored a fantastic goal at the weekend and he threatened the goal after 25 minutes, but his shot was straight at the keeper.
United opened the scoring after 27 minutes when Patrick Dorgu’s cross found Matheus Cunha in space, and he delicately touched the ball into the back of the net.
Sesko was next to try his luck, but his volley on the turn dropped just wide of the post.
Sabah almost sent their fans into raptures when United were caught out at the back post, and Fadzrul Danel headed the ball just wide in what was frankly a lucky escape for a careless home side.
After 40 minutes, the Red Devils responded, but Fernandes ballooned an effort over the bar when he had plenty of space.
United finally got some breathing space when a flowing move resulted in the home side’s second goal. Cunha picked out Tielemans in the box, and he expertly found Fernandes, who slid the ball into the back of the net.
The home side got their third when Bryan Mbeumo played in Sesko, who rounded the keeper and tapped in his second goal of the week. 3-0 United.
The half-time whistle blew, and the home side entered the dressing room in total control.
Second half
It took 13 minutes for either side to muster a chance in the second half, but it came from the home side as Mazraoui fired over from a shot outside the box.
Stas Pokatilov made two impressive stops in quick succession to prevent Cunha and Fernandes from adding to United’s lead.
The game lulled, and Michael Carrick decided to bring on Joshua Zirkzee and Andrey Santos on the hour mark.
United finally grabbed a fourth when Fernandes scooped a free kick over the top to Zirkzee, whose back heel went through the keeper, and a grateful Martinez smashed in from close range.
Joy-Lance Mickels had Sabah’s best chance of the match when he was played in on goal but he fired the visitor’s big chance wide on 87 minutes.
The game ended 4-0 with United comfortably back into the Champions League with a bang.
Starting XI: Lammens, Dorgu, Martinez, Yoro, Mazraoui, Mainoo, Tielemans, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha, Sekso
Subs: Mount, Zirkzee, Santos, Lacey, Amass
Featured image by Stu Forster via Getty Images
