Confident Man Utd breeze past Sabah FK in UEFA Youth League as JJ Gabriel completes hat-trick

Manchester United’s UEFA Youth League campaign began with a convincing 5-0 win over Sabah FK.

In the first European game of the season for Adam Lawrence’s young side, Manchester United got off to a winning start.

United opened the scoring just 72 seconds into the game as Sabah struggled to get out of their box throughout the game.

Lawrence will be delighted with how his team dominated the game against Sabah.

Photo by Zohaib Alam/Manchester United via Getty Images

UEFA Youth League: Man Utd 5-0 Sabah FK

United couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game at Leigh Sports Village, after taking the lead in the second minute, courtesy of Amir Ibragimov.

The young Russian made a darting run towards the front post to convert a free-kick delivered by Jim Thwaites.

United kept piling the pressure on Sabah, who sat back with a rigid midfield and defence shape, ultimately struggling to get out of their half and keep possession. For instance, it took six minutes for a Sabah player to touch the ball inside United’s half. This suited United as it allowed Lawrence’s side to keep a high line and made matters more difficult for Sabah.

Adam Mills was a rock at the back, dealing with the few breaks Sabah had in the first half, but the visitors hardly threatened Cameron Byrne-Hughes between the posts.

United doubled their lead after 16 minutes when Bendito Mantato showed great skill on the right flank, driving past the full-back like he didn’t exist to cross the ball into the box. That was when Jacob Watson arrived late to smash the ball into the bottom left corner.

Godwill Kukoni started the game brightly in defence, but went down after 18 minutes following an awkward landing. This meant the youngster had to be forced off and replaced by Rafe McCormack.

Whenever Sabah cleared their lines in defence, they had no attacking outlet as the ball went to a red shirt every time.

JJ Gabriel added to United’s lead on the brink of half-time when he controlled the ball on his chest before carefully striking it with his laces into the back of the net.

The young Reds went into the dressing room at half-time with a three-goal advantage, having dominated 79% of possession, as per MUTV.

The dominance continued in the second half as United created chance after chance without any response from Sabah.

It was telling that United goalkeeper Byrne-Hughes touched the ball for the first time in the 70th minute.

Gabriel completed a hat-trick with two goals in the final 10 minutes as United won 5-0.

Hopefully, it’s as comfortable for United’s first team tonight.

Who else will Man Utd play in the UEFA Youth League?

The win over Sabah FK on Thursday was the first of six matches United will play in the UEFA Youth League.

It marked a perfect start, but Lawrence’s side will face tougher tests in Europe this season.

The U-19s will also face Atletico Madrid, Como, Sporting CP, Roma and RB Leipzig.

This tournament presents a great opportunity for United’s academy stars to test themselves against fellow prospects across the continent.