Top News

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick set aside special praise for one of his players after his side beat Sabah FK 4-0 on Thursday night.

Manchester United returned to the Champions League on Thursday evening, taking on Azerbaijani side Sabah FK in their opening group-stage match.

The meeting with the comparatively modest visitors allowed Manchester United to settle into the competition, and they went on to record a comfortable 4-0 victory at Old Trafford.

Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez were all on the scoresheet as Carrick was able to give some important players a rest ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby against Manchester City.

That contest will provide a far sterner examination for Manchester United, but the result against Sabah FK has given them a base to build from over the coming weeks.

Speaking after the match, Carrick reflected on the positives his team could take from the win over Sabah FK.

“It’s nice to keep a clean sheet and obviously win the game,” Carrick said on TNT Sports.

“Some of the football we played was really good, dangerous on transition. I have to give them a lot of credit, they were difficult to play against.

“The result looks comfortable, it wasn’t always like that. We just did a lot of good things tonight, which gave us a good result.”

Carrick then had particular praise for Kobbie Mainoo after the midfielder impressed for his boyhood club against Sabah FK following a strong start to the Premier League season.

He added: “He’s a fantastic player, it’s pretty obvious to see.

“He has a massive influence on our games. He is a real joy to have, he wants to improve, he wants to listen and it is great to see.”

On United’s midfield, he continued: “We’ve got really good players. It’s nice to get Mason [Mount] and Andrey [Santos].

“There are some good connections and we have played some good football through the middle of the pitch.

“A lot of it is on wavelength and understanding of where each other wants the ball. Just understanding and developing is something we have done a bit more this season.

“We haven’t had the perfect start but there are really good signs. It’s always nice to win the first [Champions League game] one at home.”