UCL 2026-27: Manchester United Sweep Sabah FK Aside 4-0 to Mark Champions League Return in Style

Manchester United commenced their UEFA Champions League 2026-27 campaign in emphatic fashion on Thursday night, cruising to a dominant 4-0 victory over competition debutants Sabah FC at a packed Old Trafford. Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko, and Lisandro Martinez were all on the scoresheet, marking a dream start to United's first Champions League appearance since the 2023-24 season. UCL 2026-27: Bayern Romp to 5-1 Win Over Bodø/Glimt; Como Upset RB Leipzig on Debut.

Man United Win 4-0 on UCL Return

#UCL NIGHTS ARE BACK! ❤️‍🔥

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 10, 2026

The match, held on September 10, 2026, pitted the Red Devils against a Sabah FC side whose astonishing rise has captivated European football. The Azerbaijani champions arrived in Manchester having clinched a historic domestic double in the 2025-26 season, ending Qarabag's long-standing dominance and qualifying for the Champions League league phase for the first time in their nine-year history.

Match Highlights

United wasted no time asserting their authority. Matheus Cunha, the Brazilian international forward, opened the scoring early on, converting a precise cross to settle any Old Trafford nerves. The goal set the tone for a commanding performance, with United's midfield dictating play and creating numerous opportunities. Bruno Fernandes doubled the lead before halftime with a powerful strike from outside the box.

The second half saw United maintain their relentless pressure. Benjamin Sesko, the 23-year-old Slovenian striker, added United's third goal, further cementing his growing influence in the squad, while Lisandro Martinez completed the rout with a clinical finish in the dying minutes, ensuring a perfect start to their European journey.

"It was important to start strongly, especially returning to this competition," commented Manchester United manager Michael Carrick after the match. "Sabah are a fantastic story and played with incredible heart, but our quality shone through. Ben [Sesko] has been working hard, and his goal tonight is a testament to his dedication and the faith we have in him."

For Sabah FC, despite the heavy defeat, the night was a momentous occasion, marking their entry onto Europe's biggest club stage. Manager Valdas Dambrauskas, who previously called himself "the happiest head coach in the world" after their historic qualification, expressed pride in his team's journey. "This is a learning curve for us," Dambrauskas acknowledged. "Old Trafford is a special place, and Manchester United are a top team. We will take lessons from this and continue to grow. Our journey to get here has been incredible, and we will not forget that." UCL 2026-27: Ferran Torres Hat-Trick Inspires PSG to Emphatic 6-1 Victory Over Slovan Bratislava.

Champions League 2026-27 League Phase

This season marks the third iteration of the expanded Champions League format, featuring 36 teams in a single league table. Each team will play eight matches – four home and four away – against different opponents. The top eight teams will directly qualify for the Round of 16, while teams finishing from 9th to 24th will enter a knockout phase play-off.

Manchester United's victory positions them well in the early stages of the league phase, while Sabah FC will look to gather invaluable experience from their remaining fixtures in what promises to be an enthralling Champions League campaign.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2026 10:07 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).