United 4–0 Sabah on the Champions League return
Your team put on a show. Manchester United 4–0 Sabah FK on Thursday, September 10, United's 300th match in the competition, and Michael Carrick called it a perfect night: "A perfect night? Yeah, I think so" (11)(12).
Three up by the interval, then Carrick could manage the second half as he liked (3). Patrick Dorgu was named player of the match after starting at left-back (4)(11).
Dorgu at left-back for the first time under Carrick
Patrick Dorgu started at left-back for the first time in his nine appearances under Michael Carrick (4). He took the chance and walked away with the player of the match award (4)(11).
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With Luke Shaw in the picture at that position, it is a real option Carrick now has (4).
Mainoo and Tielemans are Carrick's midfield
Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans are the pairing Michael Carrick wants. He praised the partnership after the win over Sabah (13)(14).
Tielemans only played one half, but he ran the show with an assist and the numbers to match (2). Carrick called Mainoo "fantastic" (14).
Dalot and Rashford look set for the derby
Diogo Dalot and Marcus Rashford did not get on against Sabah. Samuel Luckhurst saw Carrick have a word with both as they jogged back to the bench: "Neither coming on but looked to be his way of saying, 'You'll be needed on Sunday'" (3).
Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 13, 17:30 CEST (3).
Carragher's reality check
Jamie Carragher did not buy the hype. He believes United lack the quality to genuinely challenge for the Champions League this season (15).
A 4–0 win over Sabah does not change that argument for him.
United lead the chase for Kalulu
United are the most serious suitors for Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, according to fussball-news.de: "Kalulu is being closely monitored by Manchester United in particular" (1).
United have conceded six goals in their opening three Premier League games (1). Tottenham, Aston Villa and Liverpool are also in the frame (1).
Elsewhere in Champions League matchday one
Bayern Munich 5–0 Bodø/Glimt, and Harry Kane equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's record with a goal in eight straight Champions League games (8). Slavia Praha 2–3 Lens (8).
United sit 11th in the league table on four points from three games, goal difference +1. Fulham away on Sunday, September 20, 17:30 CEST is next after the derby.
Fan reactions
The mood on r/reddevils is all Mainoo. One post flagged that his 81 completed passes against Sabah were the most by an Englishman for United in a Champions League match since Michael Carrick in February 2014, and the thread was quick to call Carrick the mentor. Others shared his Instagram line, "We back baby." The sub also enjoyed Lisandro Martinez clarifying his Carragher comment with a straight face.
