Manchester United marked their return to the Champions League with a 4-0 win over Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday, while Bayern Munich needed a second-half surge to see off Bodo/Glimt 5-0.
Matheus Cunha opened the scoring for United in the 27th minute, converting Patrick Dorgu’s cross. Sabah’s Joy-Lance Mickels then headed wide from close range with the goal at his mercy. United pulled clear before half-time, with Bruno Fernandes finishing a Youri Tielemans pass and Benjamin Sesko rounding goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov to make it 3-0.
Lisandro Martinez added a fourth after the interval, capitalising on a deflected ball following a Joshua Zirkzee backheel. Manager Michael Carrick used the game to rest key players ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby, handing Champions League debuts to youngsters Harry Amass and Shea Lacey.
“I think it was perfect for everyone, especially our fans,” Sesko said. “It means a lot to them, especially when they see so many goals.”
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich were pushed hard by Bodo/Glimt before a second-half collapse from the Norwegian side let the Bundesliga giants run out comfortable 5-0 winners. Harry Kane and Michael Olise, who both scored, were named among this year’s Ballon d’Or nominees in the same week. Cesc Fabregas’s Como also impressed on their Champions League debut.
