Cunha, Fernandes And Sesko Fire Manchester United Past Sabah
Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko scored either side of half-time before Lisandro Martinez added a fourth as Michael Carrick's Manchester United began their return to the Champions League with a comfortable win over Sabah.
Cunha Breaks The Deadlock After A Cagey Start
Manchester United needed patience to break down a well-organised Sabah side at Old Trafford, with Noussair Mazraoui firing into the side-netting and Cunha seeing an early effort saved before the deadlock finally broke in the 27th minute. Sabah gave the ball away cheaply, and United broke quickly through Bruno Fernandes and Patrick Dorgu, whose first-time cross was turned home by Cunha at the near post for his first Champions League goal.
Fernandes And Sesko Add Two More Before The Break
United doubled their lead in the 42nd minute when Youri Tielemans combined with Dorgu and Cunha before slipping Fernandes through on goal, and the United captain finished calmly into the bottom corner. Benjamin Sesko made it three right on the stroke of half-time, rounding goalkeeper Andrey Pokatilov after being sent clear by a long ball from Bryan Mbeumo, and United went in at the break well on top, having managed 13 shots to Sabah's four without the visitors registering a single effort on target.
Martinez Taps In A Fourth As Carrick Manages The Game
Carrick made changes after the break with one eye on Sunday's Manchester derby, and United added a fourth in the 68th minute. A Fernandes free kick clipped over the Sabah wall was cushioned down by substitute Joshua Zirkzee, who backheeled it goalward while under pressure from two defenders; Pokatilov appeared to lose track of the ball, letting Lisandro Martinez prod it in from close range for his first Champions League goal in 21 appearances in the competition, and his first for United at Old Trafford.
Photo: X-@ManUtd