Manchester United begin Champions League return against debutants Sabah

Manchester United return to the Champions League for the first time in three seasons when they host Azerbaijani side Sabah on Thursday, with the Red Devils expected to make a winning start to their 2026-27 league phase campaign.

This is Manchester United’s 26th appearance in the competition, a record for an English club, while Sabah are taking part at this level of European football for the first time. United missed out on European competition altogether in 2025-26, their first such absence since 2014-15.

The recommended prediction is a 3-1 Manchester United win, with odds of 9.25. Bryan Mbeumo is priced at 1.80 to score, while Bruno Fernandes is available at 1.95 to provide an assist.

United’s most recent Champions League campaign came in 2023-24, when they finished fourth in a group containing Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray. Manager Michael Carrick is under considerable pressure to oversee a more convincing European run, although winning the trophy this season would be regarded as highly unlikely.

The 20-time English champions go into the match after Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Everton. They have taken four points from their opening three Premier League games and sit 11th in the table, five points behind leaders Manchester City.

Manchester United have lifted the European Cup or Champions League three times. Their first triumph came in 1968, followed by victories in 1999 and 2008. Their most recent knockout-stage appearance was in 2021-22, when they were eliminated by Atletico de Madrid in the last 16.

During this season’s league phase, United will also face Atletico de Madrid, Como, Roma, Sporting CP, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Villarreal.

Sabah’s route to the league phase has been considerably longer. They began their Champions League campaign in early July and have already played eight matches in the competition this season. The Azerbaijani champions defeated The New Saints, KuPS, Aarhus and Hapoel Be’er Sheva in qualifying to reach this stage for the first time.

They arrive at Old Trafford in excellent domestic form after a 5-0 league victory over Zira. Valdas Dambrauskas’ side have won all three of their domestic matches and lead the Azerbaijani championship with nine points.

Sabah have won six of their eight Champions League games this season and kept four clean sheets. They are one of four clubs making their league-phase debut in this edition, alongside Como, LASK and Viking.

Manchester United have won only one of their past seven Champions League group or league-phase matches, losing four, and Sabah will hope to exploit the hosts’ current defensive problems.

Team news

United will be without Matthijs de Ligt, who has a back problem, Manuel Ugarte, who is recovering from a knee issue, Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo, both with ankle injuries, and Tom Heaton, who has a hamstring problem.

Marcus Rashford is also a doubt after being substituted during the second half against Everton because of a minor discomfort.

Carrick is expected to rotate his team with Sunday’s Manchester derby against Manchester City in mind. Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, Andrey Santos and Benjamin Sesko could all come into the starting XI.

Sesko came off the bench against Everton and scored late in the match. The striker may now be given a starting role. Sabah, meanwhile, have a fully fit squad for their trip to Old Trafford.

Joy-Lance Mickels has made an excellent start to the season, scoring eight goals and contributing one assist in 11 appearances. The 32-year-old is expected to lead the attack.

Veljko Simic, who has seven goals and one assist this season, is another threat for the visitors, while Kaheem Parris is also expected to start.

Probable line-ups

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.

Manchester United’s defensive uncertainty makes a clean sheet difficult to predict, but the expectation is that the Red Devils will begin their Champions League campaign with victory.

Manchester United form, all competitions: L, W, D.

Sabah form, Champions League: W, W, L, W, L, W.

Sabah form, all competitions: W, W, L, W, W, W.