Sabah, the reigning champions of Azerbaijan, were only formed nine years ago, and it has felt as long since United had last turned out in Europe’s premier competition.

No European football of any type last season was a real low point again in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, but Michael Carrick’s men showed they belong on this stage against their unfancied opponents.

It wasn’t vintage, free-flowing football, but it was efficient and emphatic. Bruno Fernandes, of course, was at the heart of it.

Why Bruno Fernandes is still underrated

It was evident in the closing stages that the skipper was sensibly seeking to conserve himself for the weekend, not seen hurrying down defenders or the goalkeeper as is his usual want.

Even so, the Portuguese genius still had time to pull another rabbit out of the hat, producing a dinked free-kick into the path of substitute Joshua Zirkzee, before Lisandro Martinez supplied the finishing touch.

The sight of Fernandes cleverly finding the Dutchman when he looked all but certain to shoot has become something of a trademark, memorably repeating the trick with Zirkzee away at Crystal Palace last season, or with Anthony Martial in March 2020 in the derby.

He’s done it before, but that shouldn’t gloss over the confidence and skill it takes to even try, let alone pull off, that pass, with any other player likely to have been lauded post-match.

For Fernandes, this is merely what we’ve come to expect. Even his goal, following fine combination play with Youri Tielemans, was finished with aplomb, the 31-year-old now up to four goals in just four games already this season.

Patrick Dorgu might have swept the Man of the Match award, but Fernandes was again central to everything good about United, notching four key passes in his number ten berth.

He still remains the benchmark for modern Man Utd signings, an anomaly considering so many millions wasted. Thankfully, INEOS’ recruitment appears to have turned a corner.

Why Man Utd star might be the best signing since Bruno

It’s fair to say that Carrick, following a quieter window than was expected, is still largely leaning on the players who got the job done last term.

Indeed, £70m signing Carlos Baleba is yet to feature as he steps up his return from injury, while Andrey Santos has already lost his place in the starting lineup, despite having been sharp in pre-season.

Perhaps the lack of impact from the new men explains the laboured start to 2026/27, although Thursday night was at least a significant positive, particularly due to the control United had on proceedings.

Central to that domination was, of course, Kobbie Mainoo, who stole the show again, although midfield colleague Tielemans was also immense alongside him.

It’s early days, with the trip to Hull City still looming in the background, but Tielemans is already growing into his role as a central figure in Carrick’s system.

Eyebrows were raised at the decision to hand the 29-year-old a five-year deal following his arrival from Aston Villa, although such faith is already being vindicated.

So long have the Red Devils prioritised physicality over technical quality, with Tielemans a breath of fresh air in that sense, as he showed again against Sabah.

In that 45-minute outing, the Belgium skipper recorded a stellar 98% pass accuracy rate, rotating the ball with Mainoo so effectively, with it saying it all that he was withdrawn at half-time to keep him fresh for this weekend.

This was no steady Eddie performance either, it must be said, as he actually completed 100% of his passes in the final third, always seeking to look forward to find a teammate.

Wearing the number 18 shirt, it's hard to avoid the comparisons to a certain Paul Scholes, the United legend having dictated games so regularly in his latter days in that deep-lying role.

Like Scholes though, this possession and control wasn’t a case of stat-padding, with there a clear end product too.

Indeed, Tielemans swept passes out wide so regularly, while his most telling contribution came amid that swivelled assist for Fernandes inside the area.

The two are forming quite the connection already, with Fernandes relishing the chance to collaborate with a technically proficient, Scholes-esque midfielder.

Far too often since Fernandes’ own arrival have United gambled on expensive, costly signings, yet for £35m, Tielemans already looks like a bargain.

He’s a leader, he’s vastly experienced at Premier League level, and he’s needed little time to bed in, boasting all the ingredients of a standout.

Young Senne Lammens, considering his impact last term, looked to have taken the crown as United’s best signing since Fernandes back in 2020, although it is his Belgium teammate who might be ready to usurp him in that sense.