Belfast United support had the Champions League nights back on the calendar — and Old Trafford delivered the kind of opening they wanted.
Michael Carrick’s Manchester United beat Sabah FK 4–0 on Thursday 10 September 2026 in UEFA Champions League league-phase matchday 1. Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Šeško and Lisandro Martínez all scored as the Azerbaijan side, making their Champions League debut, were swept aside under the lights.
Four different scorers, one European statement
Reports from Old Trafford had United in control once the first goal went in.
Cunha opened it on 27 minutes — his first Champions League goal — after Patrick Dorgu’s cross. Fernandes made it two around the 42nd minute from a Youri Tielemans assist, a finish reported as his fourth of the season. Šeško rounded the goalkeeper late in the first half for his second successive game on the scoresheet. Martínez added the fourth around the 68th minute after the break.
Sabah had an early look through Joy Lance Mickels and wasted it. From there, the night belonged to United’s return to Europe’s top table.
From the club
European night — derby next
United are back in the Champions League. For NI fans who stayed up for the league-phase opener, the scoreline was soft and the mood loud: four goals, four scorers, and a clean sheet against debutants who never quite recovered from that first miss.
Attention flips quickly. Sunday 13 September brings the Manchester derby — another big date on a packed week for Carrick’s side.
Still digesting United’s recent Premier League scrap? Our Everton 2–2 wrap is here.
Love Dublin’s Irish-support wrap of the same European night: United’s Irish Support Toast a Four-Goal Champions League Opener.
Read more: Haaland Punishes United as 10-Man City Win Controversial Manchester Derby · Manchester United Surrender Two-Goal Lead as Brighton Seal Dramatic Carabao Cup Victory
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