Thursday clash sees United chase Europe glory against Sabah

Don't be fooled by the Thursday night; Manchester United (Man Utd) are back in the Champions League, with Michael Carrick naming a XI to face Azerbaijani side Sabah, the Red Manchester club’s first Europe’s top‑tier appearance since Sir Alex Ferguson, while RB Diogo Dalot, CAM Bruno Fernandes and ST Matheus Cunha line up alongside Matthijs De Ligt.

Ending a decades‑long European drought

United’s return ends the longest spell without top‑tier European football since the early 1990s, when Mark Hughes and Brian McClair featured in the Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Cup. The absence stretched through the post‑Ferguson era, making this Thursday fixture a symbolic milestone.

The Red Manchester side’s previous Champions League appearance ended in a 1‑0 home loss to Bayern Munich in December 2023. That narrow defeat underscored the challenge ahead against the relatively unknown Azerbaijani opponents.

Goalkeeper and defensive options

First‑choice keeper Andre Onana remains on loan at Trabzonspor, leaving Belgian international Senne Lammens as the starter. Lammens is set to make only his second Champions League appearance after Royal Antwerp’s 2‑0 defeat at Porto in November 2023.

Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot continue from the Erik ten Hag era, while Lisandro Martinez steps in for retired Raphael Varane. Carrick also listed Patrick Dorgu, Noussair Mazraoui, Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro as possible back‑line changes, and Matthijs De Ligt has returned to training and could be eased in from the bench.

Midfield and attack selections

Summer signing Youri Tielemans is expected to partner Carrick favourite Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield, with captain Bruno Fernandes operating as the CAM. The forward line likely features Bryan Mbeumo on the right, Marcus Rashford on the left and Matheus Cunha as the striker.

With a Manchester derby looming on Sunday, Carrick admitted the tight turnaround is “not ideal” but unavoidable, saying United must “deal with the cards we were dealt”. He hinted that Mason Mount, Andrey Santos or Benjamin Sesko – who scored off the bench last weekend – could feature if rotation is needed. “He’s close, he missed a lot but we’ve had to manage him and get him fit,” Carrick added about Sesko.

Long‑term injury absentee Manuel Ugarte and unavailable Amad Diallo are ruled out, while recent signing Carlos Baleba remains on the comeback trail. Carrick’s final XI lists Lammens; RB Diogo Dalot; CB Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez; LB Luke Shaw; CM Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo; RW Bryan Mbeumo; CAM Bruno Fernandes; LW Marcus Rashford; ST Matheus Cunha.