Manchester United vs Sabah, UCL player ratings — Bruno, Cunha score in 4-0 win in Champions League

Matheus Cunha netted his first goal of the season, opening the scoring in a dominant victory for the Red Devils at home. | Photo Credit: AP

Matheus Cunha scored Manchester United’s first Champions League goal in nearly three years as European club football’s top competition returned to Old Trafford on Thursday.

Brazil international Cunha fired home from close range in the 27th minute against Azerbaijan’s Sabah as United went on a first-half scoring spree, eventually winning 4-0.

United is making its return to the Champions League for the first time since 2023, when it was eliminated in the group stage under former manager Erik ten Hag.

It secured qualification to this year’s competition after finishing third in the Premier League last season, following a resurgence under coach Michael Carrick which earned him the job on a permanent basis.

This is Carrick’s first time coaching in the Champions League and his team got off to an explosive start despite its unconvincing domestic form so far this campaign.

Cunha scored his first goal of the season, with Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko giving United a 3-0 lead at the break. Lisandro Martinez added United’s fourth with a second-half goal.

Such was United’s dominance that Carrick was able to withdraw several key players, including Youri Tielemans, Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo, likely with a view to Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.

Manchester United vs Sabah FC player ratings:

Manchester United: Senne Lammens (7.2/10), Noussair Mazraoui (7.0/10), Leny Yoro (7.1/10), Lisandro Martínez (8.2/10), Patrick Dorgu (6.8/10), Youri Tielemans (7.2/10), Kobbie Mainoo (7.3/10), Bryan Mbeumo (7.5/10), Bruno Fernandes (8.6/10), Matheus Cunha (8.4/10), and Benjamin Šeško (8.1/10).

Subs: Mason Mount (6.8/10), Joshua Zirkzee (6.6/10), Andrey Santos (6.5/10), Shea Lacey (6.2/10), and Harry Amass (6.3/10).

Sabah FK: Stas Pokatilov (5.0/10), Akim Zedadka (5.5/10), Rahman Dashdamirov (5.2/10), Aden McCarthy (5.4/10), Tymoteusz Puchacz (5.8/10), Umarali Rakhmonaliev (6.0/10), Ivan Lepinjica (5.7/10), Kaheem Parris (5.9/10), Christian Nwachukwu (5.6/10), Veljko Simić (5.8/10), and Joy-Lance Mickels (6.3/10).

Subs: Orphé Mbina (6.1/10), Aleksey Isayev (6.0/10), Abdulakh Khaybulayev (5.8/10), Erivaldo Almeida (5.8/10), and Du Queiroz (5.8/10).