Manchester United they started theirs Champions League campaign in style as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Sabah at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick’s side were in control for much of the game and eventually pulled away with three goals in the space of 18 minutes either side of the break.
Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in the 27th minute with his first Champions League goal for United, before Bruno Fernandes doubled the lead 15 minutes later.
Benjamin Sesko then struck just before half-time to give United a three-goal lead at the break, with Lisandro Martínez completing the scoring in the second half.
United rewarded for patient start
United started patiently and Sabah were able to frustrate the visitors in the early stages, with the visitors defending well and limiting chances in the penalty area.
Mazraoui fired into the net after being found by Fernandes, while Cunha also saw an effort saved by Sabah goalkeeper Andrey Pokatilov.
The home side finally broke through in the 27th minute after Parris gave the ball away cheaply. United immediately went ahead, with Fernandes finding Patrick Dorgu on the left.
Dorgu sent a first-time cross into the box and Cunha was on hand to turn the ball in at the near post.
The goal settled United and gave them more control, although Sabah almost responded immediately when Kaheem Parris created space on the right and curled a cross towards the back post.
Joy-Lance Mickels, who had scored a hat-trick at the weekend, was left unmarked but could only head home from close range.
United made the most of this game when Fernandes doubled their lead in the 42nd minute.
Youri Tielemans started the play before combining with Dorgu and Cunha, with the Belgian eventually escaping Fernandes. The United captain kept his cool to slot into the bottom corner.
There was still time for United to add another before half-time.
Mbeumo took a long ball in his stride before sliding Sesko through on goal, and the striker rounded Pokatilov before slotting the ball into an empty net.
United therefore went into the break 3-0 up, having registered 13 shots and five on target compared to Sabah’s four efforts without a single shot on target.
Red Devils finish in style
Carrick made a change at half-time, bringing on Mason Mount for Tielemans, while Sabah brought on Orphe Mbina for Christian Nwachukwu.
The second half was played at a slower pace, with United comfortably managing their lead and starting to make more changes with Sunday’s Manchester derby in mind.
Andrey Santos replaced Kobbie Mainoo in the 64th minute, while Joshua Zirkzee replaced Sesko.
United continued to threaten, with Cunha forcing a save from Pokatilov and Fernandes also testing the Sabah goalkeeper from distance.
The visitors enjoyed moments of possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances, with United largely keeping them at bay.
United added a fourth goal in the 68th minute.
Fernandes cleverly clipped a free-kick over the Sabah wall, with Zirkzee bringing the ball down before slotting it home under pressure from two defenders.
Pokatilov appeared to lose sight of the ball and Martinez was able to tap home from close range.
It was the Argentine’s first Champions League goal in his 21st appearance in the competition and his first for United at Old Trafford.
United saw out the rest of the game without serious problems, although Sabah came close to a late consolation.
