Manchester United returned to the UEFA Champions League on September 11, 2026, with a commanding 4-0 victory over Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford, featuring goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko, and Lisandro Martinez.
The long-awaited European night at Old Trafford marked United’s first appearance in the competition in over 1,000 days. While the visitors from Azerbaijan started brightly, manager Michael Carrick’s side steadily took control once the deadlock was broken. The encounter also provided Carrick with a vital secondary milestone by securing a clean sheet.
How Sabah Reached the Group Stage
Sabah’s journey to the Champions League proper stands as a remarkable feat for the club. No one, including all of Sabah’s board members, expected that the team would make it into the Champions League proper, though; negotiating a potential eight games across four qualifying rounds, starting in early July, was a daunting task. Travel routes from Azerbaijan can be complicated and expensive, too, so Sabah would not get any adrenaline boost from fans in away matches. But optimism in Dambrauskas’ camp grew after every win. First, a 4-1 aggregate victory over Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints, then a 3-0 triumph against Finnish side KuPS. In the third round, Sabah faced an AGF side fresh from winning their first Danish title in 40 years, and went down 2-1 in the first leg before romping to a 4-0 victory on home soil in the second. Only Israel’s No.1 club in 2025-26, Hapoel Be’er Sheva, were left standing in their way, and Sabah ultimately navigated their way through to secure their spot.
“To win a league, a cup and to qualify for the Champions League group phase in one season is beyond imagination. It is very hard work from everyone in the club, from the cleaner to the President.”
Valdas Dambrauskas, Head Coach, Sabah
Old Trafford Goals and Tactical Breakthrough
Despite Sabah’s spirited opening spell, the Azerbaijani side started brightly but Matheus Cunha converted Patrick Dorgu’s 27th-minute cross to open the scoring. Joy-Lance Mickels should have levelled, but two goals late in the first half from Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko put United in total control.
Captain Bruno Fernandes doubled United’s advantage 15 minutes later, celebrating his side’s second goal with Youri Tielemans. Benjamin Sesko then struck just before half-time, with his finish before the interval effectively ended any realistic hopes of a Sabah comeback and put United three goals ahead at the break. Michael Carrick made changes in the second half with the points secure, but there was still time for Lisandro Martinez to smash home from close range after some flashy play from Joshua Zirkzee, who produced an eye-catching cameo. United secured a convincing victory and a clean sheet on their return to Europe’s premier club competition, with Sabah having 10 total opportunities during the match.
Managerial Reactions and Squad Rotation
Speaking to TNT Sports after his side’s 4-0 victory over Sabah in the Champions League, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick stated: “It’s nice to keep a clean sheet and obviously win the game. Some of the football we played was really good, [we were] dangerous on transition. I have to give them [Sabah] a lot of credit, they were difficult to play against. The result looks comfortable, it wasn’t always like that. We just did a lot of good things tonight, which gave us a good result.”
On midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, Carrick added: He's a fantastic player, it's pretty obvious to see. He has a massive influence on our games. He is a real joy to have, he wants to improve, he wants to listen and it is great to see.
Discussing the midfield connections, Carrick noted: We've got really good players. It's nice to get Mason [Mount] and Andrey [Santos]. There are some good connections and we have played some good football through the middle of the pitch.
“I think it was perfect for everyone, especially our fans. It means a lot to them, especially when they see so many goals. I think it was great for us in general to give us more motivation for the upcoming games.”
Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United
The result offered some encouragement after an underwhelming start to the Premier League, where United had collected only four points from their first three matches against newly promoted Hull and Ipswich and away to Everton. With goal difference a potentially significant factor in the league phase of this Champions League format, this was a fine night’s work on their return as United set their sights on Atletico Madrid away.
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