Manchester United marked their return to Europe’s elite competition with a dominant 4-0 victory at Old Trafford on Thursday in Matchday one of the Champions League.
Man Utd boss Michael Carrick selected a strong outfit, with the contest all but concluded by the end of the first half.
Goals came courtesy of Man Utd’s frontmen Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko, as well as Lisandro Martinez in the second half after great work by replacement Joshua Zirkzee in the box.
‘Good night all round’
Carrick said in his post-game press conference: “I think it was kind of what we set out to achieve, good performance, individually and collectively throughout the game, the boys that started, the boys that came on pitch, clean sheet, goals, exciting football. A good night all round.
“Results-wise, it has not been the start that we wanted. We wanted more points in the league. But performance-wise, it has been a lot of things we are looking for.
“Collectively, as a team, we have done a lot of the right things and that is why we are excited about what the season will bring. It is really encouraging for me.”
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Sesko hitting form
On striker Sesko’s return to the starting line-up, Carrick said: “He definitely offers a different kind of threat, that is the beauty of it really, we know what Ben gives us and there are not many who can give us what he gives us.
“Speed, physicality, ability to play on the last line and run in behind. Great to have him back.”
Valiant effort
“I didn’t feel like we were shaking or scared, we tried to play, for the whole 90 minutes we did that,” Sabah head coach Valdas Dambrauskas said after the game.
“We were escaping from time to time from United pressure.
“We will all go home thinking we could have done better, especially the result. The result could have been a little bit smaller.
“When you don’t squeeze that space and you allow those players to turn and run it is almost impossible to stop them.”
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