Manchester United's Champions League return exposes Sabail's inexperience

Manchester United returned to the UEFA Champions League after a three‑season absence to host Azerbaijan's Sabail at Old Trafford on the 10th, securing a 4‑0 victory. United's attacking quartet opened the scoring within the first half‑hour, while the debutants struggled to create chances.

United's attacking display

Manager Michael Carrick fielded a line‑up featuring defender Riccardo Martínez, midfielders Yuri Tileram and Bruno Fernandes, and forwards Brian Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sheeshko. The opening goal came when a cross from Patrick Dorg was met by Cunha, recorded by one report at the 27th minute and by another at the 28th minute. Fernandes doubled the lead after a pass from Tileram in the 42nd minute, and Sheeshko added a third from a Mbeumo through‑ball just before half‑time, at the 45th minute. In the second half, a free‑kick rebound was turned in by Martínez in the 68th minute to complete the tally.

Sabail's maiden European night

Sabail made their Champions League debut on the same day, becoming the first Azerbaijani side to feature in the competition. Their players found it difficult to break United's defence and failed to register a shot on target. The match was broadcast live on WOWOW, with the note “BS環境がなくても配信で視聴可能” and a prompt to “WOWOWに今すぐ加入”. A photo from the game is credited to Getty, and the article includes the tags Images】 and Images.

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United maintained pressure after the break, introducing 19‑year‑old Shei Reece and Harry Amas for Mbeumo and Dorg in the 72nd minute, yet Sabail could not respond. The final whistle confirmed a 4‑0 win, giving United a perfect start to the group stage and leaving Sabail to reflect on the steep learning curve of European competition.