Manchester United Prepare for Champions League Opener Against Sabah
Manchester United were back on the grass at Carrington this morning, sharpening up for a Champions League opener that carries more jeopardy than the name of the opponent might suggest.
The Red Devils launch their UCL campaign at Old Trafford tomorrow night, an 8pm kick-off against reigning Azerbaijan champions Sabah. On paper, it looks like a gentle start. Recent form says otherwise.
Sabah have flown out of the blocks domestically, scoring eight goals in their first three league games without conceding once. They arrive in Manchester with rhythm, confidence and a clear idea of how to hurt teams.
United, by contrast, are still feeling their way into the season. Michael Carrick’s side have taken one win, one draw and one defeat from their opening three Premier League fixtures, conceding two goals in each outing. Two of those games came against newly-promoted Ipswich Town and Hull City, a reminder that this team is far from watertight.
Old Trafford expects a statement on Thursday night. Carrick knows it. The players know it. A flat or fragile performance in Europe’s showpiece competition, against a side with Sabah’s momentum, would set alarms ringing early in the campaign.
Carrick’s squad picture: Rashford trains, De Ligt still out
Carrick’s injury puzzle is easing in some areas and stubborn in others, and journalists got a clearer view of his options from this morning’s session.
Amad Diallo remains sidelined as he continues to recover from the minor issue he picked up in pre-season. Matthijs de Ligt is still not back in full training after the back injury that cut short his 2025/26 season in November last year, so his wait for a return goes on.
The group at Carrington today included:
- Lammens, Darlow, Mee, Honor.
- Dalot, Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro, Heaven, Martinez, Amass.
- Santos, Mount, Tielemans, Mainoo, Fernandes, Thwaites.
- Dorgu, Cunha, Rashford, Mbeumo, Zirkzee, Lacey, Sesko.
The headline name there is Marcus Rashford. The forward trained with the group after being withdrawn on 70 minutes at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday. Carrick confirmed after that match that Rashford, widely praised for an “outstanding” and “sharp” display, had felt some discomfort and was taken off as a precaution.
His presence today is a major boost ahead of a game where United will be expected to carry the attacking threat and pin Sabah back.
Luke Shaw, the club’s only established senior left-back, did not feature in the session. His absence, though, is not injury-related. As reported by BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, Shaw has been given a designated rest day, a managed pause rather than a setback.
In his place, young full-back Harry Amass trained with the senior squad again as he waits for his first competitive minutes under Carrick. With United juggling domestic demands and European expectation, his chance may not be far away.
United now move into the final stretch of preparation. Sabah arrive with a perfect defensive record and nothing to lose. Carrick’s side have questions to answer at both ends of the pitch.
Old Trafford will find out tomorrow night whether this is the start of a convincing European campaign, or an early warning that the season could be far more complicated than they planned.
