Manchester United Hosts Sabah in Champions League Return at Old Trafford

Champions League Returns to Old Trafford

Manchester United are set for their long-awaited Champions League comeback on Thursday evening, welcoming Azerbaijani newcomers Sabah for their first-ever competitive encounter. The fixture marks United's first participation in Europe's elite club competition after a three-year absence, having missed out entirely last season for the first time since 2014-15.

Match Details

• Date: Thursday, 10 September 2026
• Kick-off: 20:00 BST
• Venue: Old Trafford
• Referee: Willy Delajod (France)
• Previous meetings: First meeting between the clubs

Team News

For Manchester United, key players remain sidelined: Matthijs de Ligt is out with a back problem, Manuel Ugarte with a knee injury, Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo both nursing ankle issues, and Tom Heaton recovering from a hamstring strain. Marcus Rashford is being evaluated after a muscular concern forced his withdrawal against Everton but is expected to feature. Manager Michael Carrick may rotate the squad given a Manchester derby awaits on Sunday, possibly recalling Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, and Andrey Santos.

Sabah arrive with a fully fit squad ready for their Champions League group stage debut. Joy-Lance Mickels, who boasts eight goals in 11 games this season, will spearhead the attack alongside Veljko Simic. Kaheem Parris is also likely to start under coach Valdas Dambrauskas.

Recent Form

Manchester United have struggled in the Champions League recently, winning only one of their last seven group matches while losing four. They come off a dramatic 2-2 draw at Everton where they twice held the lead but conceded a stoppage-time equaliser from Ainsley Maitland-Niles. United sit 11th in the Premier League with four points from three games, five behind leaders Manchester City. Their last progression beyond the group stage was in 2021-22, exiting in the round of 16 against Atletico Madrid.

Sabah have impressed through qualifying, claiming six wins in eight matches and keeping four clean sheets to reach the group phase for the first time. Among four debutants this season along with Como, LASK, and Viking, they dominate domestically as well, topping the Azerbaijan Premier League after three straight wins, including a recent 5-0 thrashing of Zira highlighted by a hat-trick from Mickels.

Predicted Lineups

• Manchester United: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Mazraoui; Santos, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
• Sabah: Pokatilov; Solvet, Dashdamirov, Puchacz, Zedadka; Rakhmonaliev, Isaev, Lepinjica, Parris; Mickels, Simic

Broadcast Information

The match will be shown live across the United Kingdom on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with streaming options available via HBO Max.