Twenty-seven minutes of knocking, then the door gave way
Two seasons away from this competition is a long time at Old Trafford. Manchester United came back last night and did not blink: 4-0 against Sabah FC, the Azerbaijani champions.
The start was not a demolition. Michael Carrick’s side spent 25 minutes probing a well-organised Azerbaijani block, plenty of possession in the final third, very little cutting through it.
One move settled it. Dorgu delivered, Cunha attacked the near post, 1-0 on 27 minutes. Sesko almost doubled it six minutes later.
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Three by half-time
Sabah had not travelled to make up the numbers. Joy-Lance Mickels got his head to one from close range on 36 minutes and put it wide. Games often turn on exactly that.
Bruno Fernandes was less forgiving. Tielemans rolled it into his path, the Portuguese opened his body and curled in the second on 42 minutes. Two minutes after that, Mbeumo released Sesko, who took it round the goalkeeper and rolled it home. 3-0 at the break.
United did not ease off afterwards. Cunha kept finding pockets. Lisandro Martinez turned in a scramble on 68 minutes.
What it actually proves
Not a great deal, in truth. A 4-0 home win over the Azerbaijani champions is not a statement of intent. What United needed was a straightforward night to get the stadium back behind them, and that is what they got.
The examination arrives later in the league phase, against opponents who will not leave that much room. Cunha, Sesko, Mbeumo and Fernandes all contributed, which is the one thing Carrick can genuinely take from it.
Sabah were making their debut in the competition. The club has existed for nine years.
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