Manchester United did not tiptoe back into Europe’s premier competition. They kicked the door down.
The Red Devils dismantled Azerbaijani side Sabah FK 4-0 at Old Trafford on September 10, 2026, marking their return to the Champions League after a two-season absence. Goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Šeško, and Lisandro Martínez made the league-phase opener feel less like a competitive fixture and more like a homecoming parade with a soundtrack of 75,000 relieved fans.
Four goals, four different scorers
Cunha opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Fernandes doubled the lead in the 42nd minute. Šeško added a third on the stroke of halftime. Martínez completed the rout late in the match.
For Sabah FK, making their own Champions League league-phase debut, it was a brutal introduction to the highest level of European club football.
