Manchester United returned to the Champions League in grand style after comfortably beating Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK at Old Trafford.
Sabah had progressed through four qualifying rounds to reach the competition’s main league phase for the first time. However, their historic campaign quickly met the quality gap between Azerbaijani football and the Premier League.
United effectively settled the contest before half-time, with Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko all finding the net. The result also gave Michael Carrick’s side a valuable confidence boost with the Manchester derby only three days away.
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Sesko’s performance in his first start of the season was particularly encouraging for United. The Slovenian striker brought greater focus to an attack that had lacked sharpness in the opening three Premier League games.
His display could earn him a starting role against Manchester City on Sunday. Carrick must now decide whether Cunha or Marcus Rashford should occupy the left side of the attack. Rashford remained an unused substitute against Sabah.
The selection dilemma will be welcomed by Carrick as United look to improve their domestic form.
In Europe, United could hardly have asked for a better start. The victory came after the club’s return to the Champions League following an absence of more than 1,000 days. United face a difficult schedule in the league phase, including away trips to Atletico Madrid, Como and Sporting Lisbon. They will also host Roma and Bayern Munich, making an opening victory particularly important.
United currently sits just behind defending champions Paris St-Germain, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the early league-phase standings. Although there is still a long way to go, United’s emphatic opening-night victory provides Carrick’s side with the perfect platform for their Champions League campaign.
