Sesko Starts as Man Utd Hit Four in UCL Return

United's Champions League Return Ends in Comfortable Win

Manchester United marked their return to the Champions League with a convincing home victory over Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK at Old Trafford, putting four goals past the visitors. According to the match report, it would be no surprise if Sabah proved to be by some distance the weakest of the eight league stage opponents Michael Carrick's side will face this season — but the night still carried important lessons for the United head coach.

The standout takeaway, as reported, is that United look a much more effective unit when Benjamin Sesko starts. The Slovenian striker made his first start since the Liverpool game last March, when he finally accepted he could no longer play through the shin issue that had troubled him for weeks. It had been hoped he would be fit for the start of the Premier League season, yet he was only able to appear as a second-half substitute in the opening-day trip to Hull, and the same applied against Ipswich and Everton.

Sabah's bad luck was that Sesko was fit to start against them — and it showed. At 6ft 5in, the 23-year-old offers a physical presence United's other strikers lack, and his two goals in two games underline the different threat he brings to Carrick's attack.

Carrick's Attacking Options and the Amad Diallo Absence

The report notes that Amad Diallo's current absence has robbed Carrick of the option to start Bryan Mbeumo at the head of his attack, as he did during pre-season. That has left Matheus Cunha as an alternative option, though the source material does not detail how Cunha performed on the night.

What is clear is that Sesko's return to the starting line-up gives United a focal point they have lacked in the early weeks of the campaign. His hold-up play and aerial ability change the way the team can approach matches, and the timing of his return — right at the start of a Champions League league-stage campaign — could prove significant for Carrick as he navigates a demanding fixture list.

United's four-goal display at Old Trafford will not define their European campaign, given the standard of opposition, but it does provide a platform. Carrick's side will face far stiffer tests than Sabah, and the lessons absorbed from this match — particularly around Sesko's importance — will matter far more than the scoreline itself. For more analysis of the coming fixtures, see our Premier League predictions and Champions League predictions.

Bayern Begin With a Statement Win

Elsewhere in the Champions League, Bayern Munich opened their campaign with a comfortable victory over Bodo/Glimt, running out 5-0 winners. Harry Kane scored his 55th Champions League goal, while Michael Olise struck twice in a dominant display.

Kane's latest European milestone adds to his remarkable record in the competition, and Olise's brace highlighted the attacking depth at Bayern's disposal. The German champions wasted little time in asserting themselves, and the margin of victory sends an early message about their intentions in this season's league phase.

For Bodo/Glimt, it was a chastening evening against one of the tournament favourites, but the Norwegian side will have opportunities to respond as the league stage progresses. Bayern, meanwhile, will take confidence from a performance that combined ruthlessness in front of goal with control across the pitch.

What the Roundup Tells Us

Two matches, two very different stories. United's win was about a returning striker reshaping their attack and a manager learning which version of his team works best. Bayern's was about a squad with the firepower to overwhelm opponents, led by a striker whose Champions League tally continues to climb.

• Benjamin Sesko made his first start since March and scored — his second goal in two games.
• Manchester United put four past Sabah FK at Old Trafford on their Champions League return.
• Harry Kane scored his 55th Champions League goal for Bayern Munich.
• Michael Olise scored twice as Bayern beat Bodo/Glimt 5-0.

Both results set the tone for what promises to be a long and demanding league-stage campaign. United's challenge will be replicating their attacking effectiveness against stronger opposition, while Bayern will look to build on a statement opening night. Keep an eye on our today's AI betting tips and the latest football news for more from across Europe's top competitions.