Manchester United’s victory in the opening match of their Champions League campaign was almost a foregone conclusion. Even before Matheus Cunha slotted the first of three first-half goals that dismantled the Azerbaijan champions Sabah, the difference in skill between the teams was evident.
The disparity was further highlighted by the fourth goal in United’s 4-0 triumph. Bruno Fernandes cleverly lobbed a free kick over Sabah’s defensive line, where Joshua Zirkzee’s back heel left goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov in a muddle, as Lisandro Martinez easily scored. This season, United might not encounter a simpler adversary. Football may be unpredictable, but even a team rated lower than Leicester City would struggle to keep the score respectable.
Sabah might reflect on what could have been if things had gone their way. Kaheem Parris caused some trouble for Patrick Dorgu in the first half, creating a chance with a cross to the back post, which Joy-Lance Mickels met well. However, the effort only found the side-netting, missing Sabah’s best chance for a memorable goal.
Scoring at the Theatre of Dreams would have been a consolation for the 500 visiting fans in Old Trafford’s away section. Yet, for an overmatched team like Sabah to cause an upset, a higher level of coordination both on and off the ball would have been necessary.
A half-chance for a counterattack was squandered when Parris misplaced a pass into midfield, leading to an overwhelming United presence in the Sabah box. Dorgu’s cross allowed Cunha to score his first Champions League goal.
Despite the commanding performance, United’s opening 26 minutes mirrored some of the season’s frustrations under Michael Carrick. Their possession lacked authority, with sideways passing and a slow tempo resulting in just six shots worth 0.26 xG before Cunha’s goal. It resembled previous games against Everton and Hull City.
However, United found their rhythm as they did against Ipswich. Late in the first half, Carrick’s team displayed more energy. It might be easier to do so against Sabah, with Rahman Dasdamirov’s error leading to Benjamin Sesko’s goal.
Stronger teams than Sabah might struggle against the sequence that led to United’s second goal, where Dorgu’s overlap created space for Youri Tielemans to assist Fernandes in scoring.
Whether Manchester City could contain Fernandes and company remains uncertain. Nonetheless, Carrick can approach Sunday’s derby knowing his team had a relatively comfortable match 48 hours after their rivals began their Champions League campaign. Tielemans, Sesko, Dorgu, Bryan Mbeumo, and Kobbie Mainoo all rested well before the Old Trafford crowd began to depart. The players on the field finished the game unscathed, which was all that was needed.
