Manchester United 4-0 Sabah: Cunha and Fernandes shine in Champions League win

Manchester United marked their first Champions League appearance since 2023 with a 4-0 win over Sabah FK at Old Trafford, putting Michael Carrick’s side in control before Sunday’s Manchester derby.

Matheus Cunha opened his account for the season in the 27th minute after Patrick Dorgu’s cut-back. Bruno Fernandes then converted from close range following an inventive Youri Tielemans pass, before Benjamin Šeško rounded the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 shortly before the interval. Lisandro Martínez completed the scoring after the break, registering his first Old Trafford goal.

Who is affected

Lisandro Martínez: Scored and helped secure a clean sheet in an assured display after his previous injury problems.
Patrick Dorgu: Started at left-back for the first time under Carrick, having previously been used further forward, and supplied Cunha’s opener while deputising for Luke Shaw.
Bruno Fernandes: The United captain now has four goals in four matches this season.
Benjamin Šeško: His first-half finish took him to two goals across his last two games.
Matheus Cunha: Netted his first goal of the campaign.
Kobbie Mainoo: Delivered a composed midfield performance before being replaced, allowing Carrick to manage his workload.
Andrey Santos: The summer midfield arrival came on in the 64th minute for Mainoo.
Joshua Zirkzee: Replaced Šeško on 64 minutes but was unable to add a goal as he looks to force his way into more regular action.
Mason Mount: Played the second half for Tielemans, gaining further match fitness after injury.
Harry Amass and Shea Lacey: Both entered in the 72nd minute, replacing Dorgu and Bryan Mbeumo respectively.

How United put the game away

Cunha finished Dorgu’s square pass to break Sabah’s resistance after 27 minutes.
Fernandes doubled the lead after Tielemans created the chance with a sharp turn and pass.
Šeško took United out of reach before half-time by taking the ball around the Sabah goalkeeper and rolling into an empty net.
Martínez added the fourth as United completed a clean-sheet victory against Champions League debutants Sabah.

Carrick selected a strong team featuring Fernandes, Tielemans, Mbeumo and goalkeeper Senne Lammens, rather than taking risks against the Azerbaijani visitors. Leny Yoro partnered Martínez in central defence ahead of Harry Maguire, while Mazraoui and Dorgu completed the back line.

The result also offered a response after the dramatic draw with Everton, with Lammens and the defence avoiding a concession. United emerged without reported injuries to key players.

What happens next

United now turn immediately to the Premier League, with Manchester City due at the weekend on Sunday. Carrick has given several senior players reduced minutes ahead of that derby, while the Champions League campaign has started with a healthy four-goal advantage on the opening night.