Manchester United beat Sabah 4-0 in Champions League return

Manchester United beat Champions League debutants Sabah 4-0 at Old Trafford on 10 September 2026, with goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martínez. The win marked United’s return to the competition after a two-year absence and came ahead of their Premier League derby against Manchester City on Sunday.

How did the match at Old Trafford unfold?

United manager Michael Carrick made minimal changes from the side that drew at Everton the previous Sunday, with Benjamin Sesko handed his first start of the season in the No 9 position. United broke the deadlock midway through the first half after Fernandes chased a high ball over the top and kept it in play; Sabah then gave possession away to Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu crossed and Cunha finished cleanly.

Two goals in the closing stages of the first half turned the game. Fernandes made a sidefoot finish look easy after Youri Tielemans burst onto a Cunha pass, spun and set him up. The third followed a first-time Fernandes pass into Mbeumo, who released Sesko behind a high Sabah backline; the striker went around goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov to score.

What was Sabah’s record before their Champions League debut?

Sabah did not exist a decade ago and finished 41 points off the top of the Azerbaijani league in 2024-25 before winning the title last season. Their manager, Valdas Dambrauskas, took over in the summer of 2025. Sabah lined up in a 4-3-3 at Old Trafford and created a clear chance in the 35th minute, when Kaheem Parris crossed to the back post and Joy-Lance Mickels headed wide.

How did Manchester United score their fourth goal?

Fernandes scooped a free-kick towards substitute Joshua Zirkzee, whose backheel struck Aden McCarthy. Sabah goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov lost his bearings and the ball caught under his feet, leaving Lisandro Martínez a tap-in. Sabah substitute Orphé Mbina headed high at the end.

What did Michael Carrick say after the match?

Mason Mount replaced Tielemans at half-time for his first football of the season. “It was great to get Mason back on the pitch,” Carrick said. Sesko came off on 64 minutes to warm applause. Carrick added: “We always push for more. Results-wise it hasn’t been the start we wanted, but performance-wise there are a lot of things we were looking for. The clean sheet was important tonight. Collectively as a team we have done a lot of good things and that is why we are excited what this season can bring.”

What happened the last time United were in the Champions League?

Erik ten Hag was the manager in 2023-24, when United finished bottom of their group with four points, starting and ending the campaign with defeats to Bayern Munich and also facing Galatasaray and Copenhagen.

Frequently asked questions

What was the score in Manchester United vs Sabah?

Manchester United beat Sabah 4-0 at Old Trafford on 10 September 2026 in the Champions League, with Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martínez scoring.

Who manages Sabah?

Valdas Dambrauskas has managed Sabah since the summer of 2025, the season the club won the Azerbaijani title and reached the Champions League.

Did Benjamin Sesko start against Sabah?

Yes. Sesko made his first start of the season in the No 9 position, scored United’s third goal and was substituted on 64 minutes.

When do Manchester United play Manchester City?

United face Manchester City in the Premier League derby on Sunday, days after the Sabah match.

With reporting from The Guardian.

Stock image, not from the events described. Bobcat Stadium – Montana State University – Bozeman, Montana – 2013-07-09 — Tim Evanson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)