Manchester United return to Champions League action at Old Trafford tonight with the chance to turn a difficult domestic start into a first meaningful European statement, as Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK arrive for their debut in the competition.
Key takeaways
- The Champions League anthem will be heard at Old Trafford for the first time in two seasons.
- Michael Carrick’s late push to third place last term restored United to Europe’s elite after a long decline.
- Sabah have reached continental qualifying rounds successfully for the first time in their history and enter as Azerbaijan’s reigning champions.
- United begin the night without Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Amad Diallo and Carlos Baleba, while Luke Shaw is also a doubt.
- Defeat to promoted Hull City and a late Everton equaliser have checked the optimism created by last season’s recovery.
Old Trafford seeks a European reset
For United, this is more than the opening of another European campaign. Their previous Champions League appearance, in 2023-24, ended at the bottom of Group A after losses to Galatasaray, Copenhagen and Bayern Munich twice. Elimination at that stage was followed by another season outside the competition.
The fall continued when United finished 15th in the Premier League, their poorest league placing for 50 years. The dismissal of Ruben Amorim last season altered the direction of the campaign, with former United midfielder Carrick taking charge of the revival and guiding the club into third place during the closing weeks.
That surge put United back among the continent’s leading clubs, but the new season has begun less smoothly. Hull City, newly promoted, won the opening league fixture, while United allowed an unconvincing Everton side to snatch a draw at the last moment on Sunday.
The task against Sabah should offer an opportunity to rebuild belief. The visitors have never previously negotiated successive qualifying rounds in a continental tournament, and their presence in this season’s competition is a landmark for the club. Sabah, who will also face Barcelona and Villarreal, arrive in Manchester as champions of Azerbaijan.
Selection concerns and expected teams
United’s European return comes with several absences. De Ligt, Ugarte, Diallo and recent arrival Baleba are unavailable. Shaw, the squad’s only recognised left-back, did not train with the group on Wednesday and is likely to miss out as well.
United are expected to use a 4-2-3-1 system, with Benjamin Sesko leading the attack ahead of Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Sabah are also set up in a 4-2-3-1, with Keita Mickels projected to play up front.
| Manchester United | Sabah FK |
|---|---|
| Lammens | Pokatilov |
| Mazraoui, Martínez, Yoro, Dalot | Puchacz, Dashdamirov, Solvet, Mütallimov |
| Tielemans, Mainoo | Rakhmonaliev, Lepinjica |
| Cunha, Fernandes, Mbeumo | Parris, Isaev, Simic |
| Sesko | Mickels |
United’s available substitutes are Darlow, Mee, Maguire, Heaven, Amass, Dorgu, Mount, Thwaites, Santos, Zirkzee, Thompson and Rashford. Sabah can call on Mirzammadov, Ramazanov, Almeida, McCarthy, Bulus, Fernandes, Khaybulayev, Queiroz, Rüstamli, Lachaab and Mbina.
SEO title: Manchester United v Sabah FK: Old Trafford Champions League return
SEO description: Manchester United welcome Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK as Champions League football returns to Old Trafford after two seasons away.
