Manchester United Gear Up for Champions League Clash with Sabah

Manchester United were back on the grass at Carrington this morning, sharpening up for a Champions League opener that carries more jeopardy than the opposition’s profile might suggest.

Sabah, the reigning champions of Azerbaijan, arrive at Old Trafford tomorrow night for an 8pm kick-off, and they do so in ominous form. Three league games played, eight goals scored, none conceded. They are not coming to make up the numbers.

United, by contrast, have stumbled out of the Premier League blocks. One win, one draw, one defeat. Two goals conceded in each outing, including against newly-promoted Ipswich Town and Hull City. For a club trying to re-establish itself among Europe’s elite, that is a defensive trend Michael Carrick cannot afford to see spill into continental competition.

This is why Thursday feels big. Not because of the name on the opposition shirts, but because of what it says about where United are headed under Carrick. A dominant performance on home turf is not a luxury. It’s a requirement.

Carrick’s options taking shape

Carrington offered a clearer picture of Carrick’s hand ahead of the tie, with journalists able to clock who did – and didn’t – take part in the session.

Among those involved this morning were goalkeepers Lammens and Darlow, with defensive options including Mee, Honor, Dalot, Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro, Heaven, Martinez and young left-back Harry Amass. The midfield group featured Santos, Mount, Tielemans, Mainoo, Fernandes and Thwaites, while the attacking pool included Dorgu, Cunha, Rashford, Mbeumo, Zirkzee, Lacey and Sesko.

There were, however, some notable absentees.

Amad Diallo remains sidelined as he continues to recover from the minor issue he picked up in pre-season. Matthijs de Ligt is still not fully back in training after the back injury that cut short his 2025/26 campaign last November. For a side already conceding too many goals, the absence of a defender of his stature is a significant gap.

Luke Shaw, United’s only established senior left-back, was also missing – but his situation is far less concerning. He has been granted a designated rest day, according to BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, rather than being added to the injury list.

That opened the door again for Amass, who trained with the group as he waits for his first competitive minutes under Carrick. With Shaw managed carefully and the schedule about to intensify, the teenager’s pathway to the pitch is starting to look very real.

Rashford boost eases attacking fears

The biggest positive of the morning came in attack. Marcus Rashford was out there with the group, moving freely, just days after a minor scare.

He had been withdrawn around the 70-minute mark at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday after feeling some discomfort. Carrick confirmed after the match that the substitution was precautionary, and the training pictures backed that up. Rashford, who drew praise for an “outstanding” and “sharp” display at the weekend, now looks on course to spearhead United’s forward line against Sabah.

With Zirkzee, Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko and the highly rated Lacey also in the attacking mix, Carrick has options. What he needs now is ruthlessness.

Sabah arrive with momentum, belief and a perfect defensive record this season. United bring the weight of expectation, a restless fanbase and a manager trying to knit together a new era.

Old Trafford will quickly reveal which of those forces speaks loudest.