Manchester United marked their return to the Champions League after a two-year absence with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford, easing the pressure after a disappointing draw at Everton and ahead of Sunday's derby against Manchester City.
Matheus Cunha broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, turning in a first-time cross from Patrick Dorgu, who was deployed at left-back with Luke Shaw rested. It was Cunha's first goal of the season, though he was fortunate to avoid a late red card for a challenge on Erivaldo Almeida.
Sabah, founded less than a decade ago and celebrating a remarkable rise to become Azerbaijani champions, gave a good account of themselves and nearly equalised when Joy-Lance Mickels headed Kaheem Parris' cross into the side-netting rather than the goal, a miss he could barely believe.
United made them pay before the break. Bruno Fernandes, United's captain and a Ballon d'Or nominee despite the club's absence from Europe last season, doubled the lead after Youri Tielemans span away from his marker and squared the ball for a simple finish. Six minutes later, Bryan Mbeumo played Benjamin Sesko through on goal, and the Slovenian striker calmly rounded goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov to make it 3-0 heading into half-time, on his first start of the campaign.
Manager Michael Carrick used the game to manage his squad ahead of the derby, resting four players from the outset and substituting five more as the match progressed. Mason Mount came on for his first appearance of the season, while youngsters Harry Amass and Shea Lacey also featured late on.
Lisandro Martinez added a fourth in the 68th minute, converting from close range after Fernandes' looped free-kick found substitute Joshua Zirkzee, whose backheel flick caused confusion in the Sabah defense before Martinez pounced.
Sabah continued to push for a consolation goal that would have crowned an extraordinary night for the club, with Mickels firing wide and substitute Orphe Mbina striking the crossbar in stoppage time, but United held firm to secure the clean sheet.
Speaking after the match, Carrick expressed satisfaction with his side's display. "Some of the football we played was really good," he said. "We just did a lot of good things." Asked if it amounted to a near-perfect evening, he agreed: "Yeah, I think so."
Carrick also praised the impact of returning players, noting the boost of having Mount back involved. "It was great to get Mason back on the pitch," he said, while also highlighting Dorgu's attacking contribution down the left. "Pat played really well, he was a big threat," the manager added, though question marks remain over the Dane's defensive solidity in that position.
On Sesko, whose recent form has been hampered by a shin issue, Carrick noted the striker's distinct qualities. "Ben gives us a different kind of threat," he said.
The win represents United's biggest Champions League victory since a 5-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig in 2020, and their first European win since 2023. It also marked the 300th Champions League appearance for the club, making them the first English side to reach that milestone.
With the Manchester derby against City looming on Sunday, Carrick will hope his side can carry momentum from a routine European night into a much sterner Premier League test. United's next Champions League assignment, away at Atletico Madrid, promises to be a far tougher measure of their credentials in Europe's premier competition.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football, Independent Football, Standard Football, and BBC Sport Football.