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MICHAEL CARRICK was in high spirits before half-time, already marking a triumphant beginning to his debut full Champions League season.
It was a flawless night for United, with early strikes from Matheus Cunha, captain Bruno Fernandes, and Benjamin Sesko, easily sending the Euro newcomers from Azerbaijan home, topped off by a humorous fourth goal from Lisandro Martinez.
After three years on the sidelines while others enjoyed the limelight, this was a delightful light meal.
While the Old Trafford crowd enjoyed their return to European competition, nobody was under any illusions.
The match that truly matters this week is still to come.
Defeat City in the derby on Sunday, and everything will seem positive, with the manager buoyed and confidence soaring.
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Man Utd players donned a different kit than their teammates in Champions League opener
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A defeat would reignite doubts, looming and dark.
This evening, though, Carrick exhibited no signs of worry.
What was expected to be a straightforward match against the underdogs from the Caspian played out exactly as predicted, with United achieving a flawless set of Premier League victories in the tournament’s opening week.
It took nearly thirty minutes for United to convert their physical dominance into goals.
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Nonetheless, Kobbie Mainoo effortlessly commanded the pitch, displaying excellent positioning and astute passing, while Youri Tielemans showcased his quality alongside him.
Once Cunha, overlooked by Brazil’s coach Carlo Ancelotti post-World Cup debacle, found the net thanks to Patrick Dorgu’s assist, the only question remaining was how many goals would they tally.
Sabah’s manager Valdas Dambrauskas began his coaching journey with the £725 prize he won on the Lithuanian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
He might have wished to call a friend for help as the quick-fire goals from Bruno and Sesko just before halftime made the result painfully clear.
Not surprisingly, with the exception of Mainoo—the standout performer—every one of Carrick’s starting players had a higher individual price tag than the entire Sabah squad combined.
United was larger, stronger, fitter, and simply superior.
While agile Kaheem Parris posed some challenges for Dorgu, whose struggles reiterated the error of not securing a proper backup for the rested Luke Shaw, it hardly mattered in the end.
Early attempts from Cunha and Nousair Mazraoui highlighted Sabah’s weaknesses on the flanks, as Carrick opted against major changes leading up to Sunday’s derby clash.
However, United sometimes overcomplicated their gameplay, briefly raising expectations among the few Sabah supporters present.
This was highlighted when Mainoo’s delightful pass sent Bruno rushing forward, who failed to find the unmarked Sesko, making his first start of the season while Marcus Rashford remained on the bench.
Yet, the breakthrough arrived in the 27th minute as the Azerbaijan team relinquished possession in midfield.
The passing was swift and precise, with Bryan Mbeumo, Sesko, and then Bruno combining to assist Dorgu, allowing Cunha to evade his defender and slot home from close range.
It was as easy as pie, as the muted reaction from the home crowd suggested.
And although Rwandan striker Joy-Lance Mickels should have converted a header from Parris’ deflected cross at the back post, the match was effectively settled by halftime.
Twice, Tielemans played a pivotal role in the first half, first initiating the play and then spinning off Cunha’s pass to set up Bruno’s goal.
Then, when Mbeumo cut inside from the right and spotted space behind the defense, Sesko could run through unchallenged, round the goalkeeper, and neatly guide the ball into the net for his second goal in as many games.
It was a composed finish for the Slovenian, who had earlier come close with a volley while facing away from goal after Tielemans’ angled pass found Dorgu free again.
A slight surprise was Carrick’s decision to wait until after the hour mark to make more than one substitution, with Mason Mount coming on for Tielemans at halftime.
Cunha, twisting to shoot from the edge of the box, and shortly afterward Bruno both tested Sabah goalkeeper Stas Pokalitov.
There was a wave of applause when Mainoo was finally substituted, with Andrey Santos entering the fray, while Joshua Zirkzee—who was on the verge of joining Everton last week—took Sesko’s place.
Zirkzee played a crucial role in the fourth goal, with his backheel off Bruno’s floated free-kick setting up Martinez for a tap-in, largely due to the Sabah keeper losing track of the ball as it slipped between his legs.
Rashford was being saved for the significant match at the weekend, as Carrick opted for youngsters Harry Amass and Shea Lacey instead.
This upcoming clash will undoubtedly challenge the manager and his players to a greater extent.
For now, though, the mood is optimistic. We shall soon see how long it lasts.
