Simon Stone
BBC Sport Manchester United reporter

Manchester United recorded their biggest Champions League victory since 2020 as they swept Sabah FK aside at Old Trafford.

The Azerbaijan champions came through four rounds of qualifying to reach the main league phase of the tournament for the first time.

However, though they had chances, they were also given a brutal lesson in the gulf in class between the level they are used to and the Premier League, whose five entrants have all opened their respective campaigns by picking up three points.

With just three days to prepare for Sunday's Manchester derby, United head coach Michael Carrick would have been pleased to effectively kill the contest by half-time, thanks to goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko.

For Sesko in particular, it was an important night.

Starting for the first time since 3 May, the Slovenian brought a focus to United's attack which has not been evident for their opening three Premier League games.

It surely puts him in contention to start against Manchester City, which begs the question who will be on the left - Cunha or Marcus Rashford, who remained on the bench throughout.

The conundrum is one Carrick will relish because, while he said at Everton on Sunday that United's start to the season had "not been that bad", he also knows four points from three games cannot become four from four.

As far as the Champions League goes, United could not have asked for more accommodating opponents after more than a thousand days out of the competition.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick actually conducted his pre-Manchester City press conference after his side's 4-0 win against Sabeh in the Champions League last night.

That will be available shortly as it is embargoed until 13:30 BST. In the meantime, let's remind ourselves of last night's match at Old Trafford.

Remember to click on the 'Get Involved' tab on the left-hand side of the screen and send us your thoughts on this weekend's Premier League action.

We want to hear from as many of you as possible.

We've heard from four Premier League managers so far, and we still have seven more to come.

Up next are Michael Carrick, Roberto De Zerbi, Gary O'Neil, Keith Andrews, Unai Emery, Xabi Alonso and David Moyes.

Fulham

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa on whether he is confident he will be afforded time to turn things around at Craven Cottage: "My focus is on the Liverpool game at the minute, that's the most important thing for me, I'm not thinking about time.

"I haven't just come here for three games or a month in charge, I've come here because I wanted to improve this team. That's where my energy goes."

On some fans booing the performance last time out: "We are a very strong team when our fans are behind us. Obviously we want to give everything on the pitch for them. They want to see us win games - we know that - but we are stronger with them behind us."

Fulham

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa on returning to Anfield as a former Liverpool player: "It will be so special. I went back to Anfield when I was a Real Madrid player, but this will be my first time back as a coach. It will always be a special place for me."

On opposition boss Andoni Iraola being a figure he knows very well: "Yes, we played together in the national team and we faced each other many times in La Liga. He has been doing an amazing job in the Premier League, and you can see Liverpool starting to play his style now. It will be so difficult for us."

That's all from Andoni Iraola ahead of Liverpool's meeting with Fulham tomorrow afternoon.

We have heard a little more from his counterpart, Alvaro Arbeloa, in the last hour, so we'll bring you up to speed with that before moving on to the other press conferences taking place across the Premier League later today.

Liverpool

On Lewis Koumas, who made his Champions League debut against Atletico Madrid, Andoni Iraola said: "The first week that I was here, I told the club I want him to stay. I had very few doubts because he can cover us as a seven, nine ten and 11.He trains very well, has a good attitude and great player. He scores goals.

"He needs to add more like every young player, but he already has a good amount of experience playing in the Championship at a high level.

"I see him ready to help us and I like what he gives us. I am very happy to have him."

Liverpool

On Alexander Isak's performances so far, Andoni Iraola said: "I think he's doing well. I'm happy with the improvements he's doing game-to-game.

"Physically, he's in a really good place. I think he moves with confidence and technically we know he is very good. He is understanding better what we need from the number nine position."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool

On Alexis Mac Allister and his performance against Atletico Madrid following the noise around having no contract extension yet, Andoni Iraola said: "I consider him a great player. He understands the game very well and has the experience which is quite good for our young team.

"I am very happy to have him in our team. I hope this level of performance and if he can improve it then even better."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool

On opponents Fulham, Andoni Iraola said: "They have played three Premier League games, so it is too early to make conclusions about any team. Fulham is a great example. I think they've played well in their three games.

"If you look at the stats then you would think they'd have four or five points at least. They've been controlling the games with possession and comfortable on the ball."

Liverpool

On Hugo Ekitike's recovery from injury, Andoni Iraola said: "There is a chance he could help us with the last two games of the [Champions League] group stage, but it is still very early to say."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool

On Liverpool's unbeaten start, Andoni Iraola said: "The team has goals. In all of the games we have been dangerous and created chances.

"We have scored two [in the last two] and could have scored more. Now it's about being more efficient.

"It's about when the goals come because I don't think we're starting games too well. Compare it to Ipswich, the games look more comfortable when you start like this.

"I would like to score the fist goal to make things easier, but we have to have the right mentality.

"The start of games is where I think we can be a bit better."

Liverpool

Andoni Iraola started the news conference by giving an update on Bradley Barcola and Cody Gakpo's fitness: "We still need to train this afternoon.

"Barcola was just cramp. We have to evaluate how he is today, but there is no injury. I think he should be available if everything goes normal.

"Cody, we will see. We will try today and see if he is ready for tomorrow or if we need to wait until the next one."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

• Liverpool have drawn each of their last three Premier League games at Anfield. They last had a longer winless run at home in the league between December 2020 and March 2021 (D2 L6).
• Liverpool have only lost two of 33 previous home league games against Fulham (W23 D8), 1-0 defeats in May 2012 and March 2021.

Liverpool

Liverpool's results so far this season:

• Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool
• Liverpool 2-2 Nottingham Forest
• Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool
• Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid (Champions League)

That's all for this morning's news conferences, but you don't have to wait long for the next one with Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola due to face the media at midday.

After that, we will be hearing from Manchester United, Aston Villa, Brentford, Chelsea, Everton, Ipswich and Tottenham - all scheduled for 13:30 BST.

So it will be a busy afternoon and of course we will bring you the best of what they all say in this page.

Manchester City

Manchester City's results so far this season:

Man City 2-1 Bournemouth

Crystal Palace 1-4 Man City

Man City 1-0 Coventry

Porto 0-2 Man City (Champions League)

Manchester City

• Manchester City are looking to win each of their opening four games to a Premier League campaign for the seventh time, which would be the outright most of any side (Chelsea also six times). City have gone on to win the league on just two of the previous six occasions they’ve won their first four in the competition (2011-12 and 2023-24).
• Manchester City have won just one of their last four Premier League games against Manchester United (drawn one, lost two), this after winning five of their six beforehand (lost one).