Benjamin Sesko marked his first start of the season with a goal while Patrick Dorgu impressed in an unfamiliar left-back role as Manchester United returned to the Champions League with a comfortable win.
Manchester United defeated Sabah FK 4-0 at Old Trafford on Thursday, September 10, 2026, in their Champions League group-stage opener, marking their return to the competition after three seasons away. Michael Carrick's side overcame a bright start from the Azerbaijani champions to secure a comprehensive victory built around key performances from Benjamin Sesko and Patrick Dorgu.
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Goals and Match Timeline
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Sabah pressed United for the opening 27 minutes before a misplaced midfield pass triggered the breakthrough. Patrick Dorgu delivered a low cross from the left that Matheus Cunha converted to open the scoring in the 28th minute. Sabah's Joy-Lance Mickels then missed a close-range header while unmarked, a chance the Guardian described as a turning point in the Azerbaijani club's European debut. Bruno Fernandes doubled United's lead in the 43rd minute before Benjamin Sesko made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time, rounding goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov after being released by Bryan Mbeumo. Lisandro Martínez added a fourth in the 69th minute to complete the scoring.
Sesko and Dorgu Under Scrutiny
Sesko, who had not started a match since May 3 and scored earlier this season only as a substitute against Everton, made his first start as centre-forward in place of Marcus Rashford. He played roughly 64 minutes and told reporters afterward that seeing the goalkeeper rush out gave him "a great opportunity to take the ball away from him to make the goal a little bit easier," according to comments carried by the Evening Standard. Dorgu, deployed exclusively as a left-winger under Carrick last season, started at left-back for the first time following Luke Shaw's rest ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby. He assisted Cunha's opener and was named UEFA Player of the Match, though the Independent noted he "revealed defensive deficiencies," including moments when Sabah's Akim Zedadka beat him, requiring Martínez to cover. ESPN's player ratings gave Dorgu a 9 out of 10, calling his display evidence he "may help solve United's lack of depth in the position."
