Manchester United celebrated their return to the Champions League with a 4-0 thrashing of Sabah on Thursday, as Cesc Fabregas’s Como impressed on their debut in Europe’s premier club competition. Harry Kane and Michael Olise, with a brace, both scored in the week that they were nominated for the Ballon d’Or as Bayern Munich were made to work before Bodo/Glimt’s second-half collapse in a 5-0 rout.
Matheus Cunha scored his first goal of the season while captain Bruno Fernandes, forward Benjamin Sesko and centre-back Lisandro Martinez were also on the scoresheet on a comfortable night for the Red Devils at Old Trafford. There was one moment of concern after Cunha had given Michael Carrick’s team a 27th-minute lead from Patrick Dorgu’s cross, as United’s defensive frailties almost came back to haunt them.
But Joy-Lance Mickels headed wide when free at the back post from less than five yards out. The Azerbaijanis wilted at the end of the first period as Youri Tielemans teed up Fernandes and then Sesko ran onto Bryan Mbeumo’s through ball before rounding goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov before sliding the ball home.
Midway through the second half, Martinez pounced on a bobbling ball that ricocheted off Pokatilov and a defender from substitute Joshua Zirkzee’s backheel as United went into cruise control. Carrick even had the luxury of bringing on youngsters Harry Amass and Shea Lacey for their Champions League bows as he sought to rest legs ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Goals from Croatia midfielder Martin Baturina, Greece forward Tasos Douvikas and Senegal’s Assane Diao put Como in control against RB Leipzig. Serbia midfielder Andrija Maksimovic pulled a goal back for Leipzig before Maximo Perrone sealed a 4-1 victory late on a dream night in northern Italy. Kane powered home a header from Olise’s free-kick as Bayern eventually