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 already carries a hint of jeopardy.

Michael Carrick’s side host Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford tomorrow night at 8pm, launching a European campaign they can’t afford to ease into.

Contrasting form as Europe looms

Sabah arrive in Manchester in ruthless domestic form. Three league games, eight goals scored, none conceded. They know exactly where the net is and, so far, how to protect their own.

United’s start has been far less clean. One win, one draw, one defeat from their opening three Premier League fixtures, with two of those matches coming against newly-promoted Ipswich Town and Hull City. Each outing has followed an uncomfortable pattern: two goals conceded every time.

That defensive record throws extra weight on Thursday night. At home, under the lights, United need something more than just a routine win. They need authority. They need control. They need a statement.

Carrick’s injury puzzle

Carrick is still juggling injuries and recoveries as he shapes his first European XI of the season.

Amad Diallo remains sidelined, still working his way back from the minor issue that cut short his pre-season. Matthijs de Ligt, whose 2025/26 campaign ended in November with a back injury, has yet to fully rejoin group training, so his return will not come in time for Sabah.

Even so, there was a sizeable group out on the Carrington pitches this morning. The following players were present:

• 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 standout sight among them was Marcus Rashford.

Rashford relief, Shaw rested, chance for Amass

Rashford trained with the group after being substituted on 70 minutes at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday. Carrick explained after that match that the forward had felt some discomfort and was taken off as a precaution, despite delivering what was described as an “outstanding” and “sharp” performance.

His involvement today is a significant boost ahead of a game where United will be expected to carry the attacking burden.

Luke Shaw, the club’s only established senior left-back, did not take part. That absence, though, is not injury-related. He was given a designated rest day, according to BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, a planned breather rather than a fresh concern.

In Shaw’s place on the training pitch, young full-back Harry Amass was again involved as he waits for his first competitive minutes under Carrick. With the European schedule about to tighten and rotation becoming unavoidable, his chance may not be far away.

Sabah’s perfect defensive record meets a United side still searching for balance at both ends of the pitch. Carrington has done its part. Now Old Trafford will demand an answer.