Manchester United have returned in style to the Champions League after almost three years out of Europe’s premier club competition, setting the tone with an assured 4-0 victory as they hosted Azerbaijani side Sabah FK at Old Trafford.
The result followed a 5-0 victory for United’s under-19s against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League earlier in the day, with the senior side producing a performance and result that echoed their junior counterparts.
United make their mark early
The Old Trafford faithful arrived wrapped in noticeably more layers than they had in recent weeks, with Manchester caught by a sudden drop in temperature. The evenings have already begun closing in, and there’s a sense that the season is really getting going now.
Benjamin Šeško made his first start of the season, giving United a natural focal point through the middle, while Patrick Dorgu started at left-back. His positioning offered one of the more interesting tactical features of the game, particularly as his relationship with Matheus Cunha grew as time went on.
United immediately looked to set the tone without the ball. Šeško pressed the Sabah goalkeeper before Bryan Mbeumo closed down the centre-back, forcing the visitors into a hurried pass out of play in the opening minutes.
Cunha registered the first effort on target after a neat exchange involving Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Noussair Mazraoui around the edge of the box. His low effort towards the near post was saved and turned behind for a corner.
Mazraoui regularly inverted from the right during the opening stages, while Dorgu repeatedly provided an outlet on the opposite flank. Cunha frequently drifted into central areas, leaving Dorgu to hold the width with the pair visibly growing in understanding for eachothers intentions with and without the ball.
This arrangement suited both players, as Cunha was able to attack the central spaces he naturally gravitates towards, while Dorgu provided the width and overlapping runs from wider positions.
Sabah were no pushovers however – the visitors were organised and looked dangerous when they broke forward, particularly through their quicker wide players. United’s dominance of the ball and occupancy of the opposition half didn’t nullify Sabah’s threat in transition. When the broke, they were able to cut through United’s midfield with concerning ease, though didn’t have the quality to create any clear cut chances in the first-half.
There were some murmurs of frustration from the home crowd as the deadlock remained intact, but United did well to remain patient and stick to their plan, with an opener in sight.
Tielemans and Mainoo Set The Tone in the Middle of the Park
Mainoo and Youri Tielemans established a strong rhythm in midfield, moving the ball quickly and helping United progress as a connected unit. Their combined presence in the midfield and manipulation of Sabah’s defensive setup began to produce clearer opportunities as the half progressed.
A fantastic first-time looping ball from Mainoo over the top found Fernandes, although he was unable to square it successfully into Sesko’s path. Mbeumo was then released into space on the right moments after, only for his effort to be blocked after carrying the ball to the edge of the box.
The breakthrough finally arrived for Michael Carrick’s men in the 26th minute and offered an early reward for United’s persistent work down the left.
Šeško and Fernandes were involved in the build-up before the ball was worked wide to Dorgu, whose superb cross found Cunha for a first-time finish from close range.
It was an encouraging moment for Dorgu and Cunha after their earlier efforts to establish their relationship on that side. Dorgu’s width created the platform for Cunha to arrive in the central area he had occupied throughout the opening stages.
United continued to threaten from that side, with Dorgu again delivering a dangerous ball into the box for Šeško. The striker could not finish cleanly from an awkward body position, but the signs remained positive.
Sabah still carried a threat of their own. Paris delivered towards the back post for Joy Mickels, whose header drifted narrowly wide, providing a reminder that United could not allow themselves to completely switch off.
As the half went on, however, Sabah began to tire and United found increasing amounts of time and space in midfield and the attacking areas with the gulf in quality becoming clearer by the minute.
United’s second goal was perhaps the best example of the slick combination play helping Carrick’s side slice through the Azerbaijani outfit. Cunha found Tielemans inside the box, with the Belgian intelligently turning back on himself and laying the ball into the path of Fernandes for a first time finish which he made no mistake about, putting his side 2-0 up after 42 minutes.
Šeško then marked his first start of the season with a goal of his own just before the half-time interval. Fernandes found Mbeumo who slipped a brilliantly weighted pass in-behind to send the Slovenian one-on-one with the goalkeeper, before Šeško rounded him and calmly finished into the empty net.
United went down the tunnel for half-time deservedly 3-0 ahead, with the result seemingly beyond any doubt.
The connections between Fernandes, Mainoo, Tielemans, Cunha, Mbeumo and Mazraoui had produced some lovely attacking patterns, although Sabah had occasionally shown that United could still be exposed when possession was lost and the visitors broke quickly.
United manage the second half with maturity
Michael Carrick made a change at half-time, with Mason Mount replacing Tielemans. The decision made to manage the Belgian’s minutes and workload ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Mainoo was nothing short of outstanding, playing with maturity and moving the ball quickly and securely, but he was also withdrawn shortly after the hour mark as Carrick continued to manage his squad.
It’s possible that it goes under the radar just how complete the Stockport-born midfielder has become. His long-passing in particular stood out today, which has been one of the few areas of his game asking for improvement.
Joshua Zirkzee and Andrey Santos replaced Šeško and Mainoo in the 62nd minute as Carrick looked to rotate his squad. Sesko despite a quieter performance still popped up with a goal and should start against Manchester City on Sunday. His presence and gravity in the box creates so much space and time in attacking areas for his teammates to capitalise on.
The intensity dropped significantly after the break. Sabah offered less resistance and sat deeper, while United were largely content to circulate possession and manage their advantage, with the game feeling more like a possession drill for the hosts around the 60 minute mark.
The fourth goal arrived in unusual fashion, as Mount was brought down cynically by Lepinjica after a good move through midfield, earning United a free-kick and the Sabah player a yellow card.
Fernandes delivered the resulting set-piece, with Zirkzee attempting a clever backheel that was awkwardly mishandled by the goalkeeper. Lisandro Martínez reacted quickest to apply the finish and make it 4-0 in the 67th minute. Amusingly, Zirkzee had already turned away from goal assuming his chance had been wasted, and missed Martinez’ cheeky finish from close range.
Four minutes later came another moment for the Old Trafford crowd to enjoy as academy products Harry Amass and Shea Lacey were introduced, replacing Dorgu and Mbeumo, both receiving warm receptions as they entered the pitch.
United were comfortable from there. Zirkzee showed flashes of quality with several fluid touches and turns, although he could not find the final opening needed to add his name to the scoresheet.
Sabah deserved credit for continuing to compete despite the game having effectively been decided. Their substitutes brought fresh energy late on, and the visitors almost found a consolation in the final minute when Mickels crossed for M’Bina, whose header forced a late save from Senne Lammens, but it was too little too late, as the referee blew for full time.
Full time: Manchester United 4-0 Sabah FK.
Player Ratings:
Senne Lammens: 6
Had very little to do throughout the 90 minutes. Tidy performance with the ball and displayed strong concentration to save M’bina’s stoppage time headed effort from close range.
Noussair Mazraoui: 7
Positive on the ball especially in the first half, frequently received the ball in central attacking areas and combined well with United’s front line.
Leny Yoro: 8
A faultless performance for the young Frenchman who defended with maturity when called upon and helped United keep the ball moving forward.
Lisandro Martinez: 8
Displayed his usual excellence on the ball and scored his first Old Trafford goal without putting a foot wrong defensively.
Patrick Dorgu: 8
An encouraging performance from the Dane at left-back who made a real impact in the final third and delivered the cross for Cunha’s opener.
Youri Tielemans: 8
Picked the right pass every time and kept the ball moving at a good pace, an example on the ball to his teammates.
Kobbie Mainoo: 9 (MOTM)
Stellar performance partnering Tielemans brilliantly in the centre of the park, long passing looked accomplished and hardly ever lost the ball. Just keeps getting better.
Mbeumo: 7
Some sloppy play in the first half was made up for with a fantastic assist for Sesko’s goal, grew into the game. Not a perfect performance but the output is always there with Bryan.
Fernandes: 8
Was able to enjoy his football with the creative burden shared throughout the team. Took his goal well and led the team by example.
Matheus Cunha: 7
Somewhat scrappy performance but grew into the game like Mbeumo and opened the scoring with a great first time finish. Benefited from Dorgu’s wide presence.
Benjamin Sesko: 7
A relatively quiet performance from Sesko but he still comes away with his first Champions League goal for Manchester United, rounding Sabah’s goalkeeper in style. Should start in the Derby on Sunday.
Substitutes:
Mason Mount: 6
Replaced Tielemans at half-time, looked bright and helped maintain United’s effort levels.
Andrey Santos: 6
Came on for Mainoo allowing the starting pair to rest for the Derby. Looked assured and moved the ball well but wasn’t tasked with much as the intensity had dropped significantly.
Joshua Zirkzee: 6
Some slick touches and bits of combination play in attacking areas when he came on, encouraging signs and his back-heeled effort created the chaos in Sabah’s six yard box that led to Martinez’ goal.
Shea Lacey: 6
Didn’t get on the ball very much but looked to be positive and play forward. Needs more minutes to grow in confidence.
Harry Amass: 6
Similar to Lacey, wanted to play forward, limited involvement and should be given more minutes to grow into his role.
