Cunha, Fernandes And Sesko Fire United To Crushing Champions League Victory
By Sedara Philip
Manchester United marked their return to the Champions League in emphatic fashion, sweeping Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK aside at Old Trafford to record their biggest victory in the competition since 2020.
Sabah FK had battled through four qualifying rounds to reach the main league phase for the first time in the club’s history, but Old Trafford proved a daunting stage as United exposed the gulf between the Azerbaijani champions and the elite level of the Premier League.
Despite creating opportunities of their own, Sabah were ultimately overwhelmed as United effectively settled the contest before half-time.
With just three days to prepare for Sunday’s Manchester derby, head coach Michael Carrick could hardly have asked for a better outcome.
Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko all found the net as United raced into a commanding lead before the interval, allowing Carrick to manage the second half with one eye on the much-anticipated clash with Manchester City.
The result also continued an impressive start to the Champions League campaign for English clubs, with all five Premier League representatives winning their opening matches.
For Sesko, the night was particularly significant.
Making his first start since 3 May, the Slovenian striker provided a focal point to United’s attack that had been missing during their opening three Premier League matches.
His performance will inevitably strengthen his case for a starting role against Manchester City and presents Carrick with a welcome selection headache.
The United boss must now decide who occupies the left side of the attack, with Cunha and Marcus Rashford among the options. Rashford remained an unused substitute against Sabah.
The derby comes at an important moment for United.
Carrick suggested after Sunday’s match at Everton that United’s start to the season had “not been that bad”, but he will also know that their tally of four points from three Premier League matches cannot become four from four.
A strong performance against City would therefore provide a major boost, while another setback would increase the pressure surrounding United’s domestic campaign.
In Europe, however, United could hardly have wished for a more favourable opening opponent after spending more than 1,000 days away from the Champions League.
The victory gives them an early platform ahead of a demanding schedule that includes away trips to Atletico Madrid, Como and Sporting Lisbon, as well as home fixtures against Roma and Bayern Munich.
Collecting three points against Sabah was therefore vital. United now have some breathing room in the league phase rather than immediately finding themselves playing catch-up.
And while the challenges ahead will be considerably tougher, United currently sit just behind holders Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the early standings.
For Carrick and his players, the Champions League comeback could hardly have started better.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
