Manchester United Prepare for Champions League Opener Against Sabah
Manchester United were back on the grass at Carrington this morning, sharpening up for a European night that already carries a hint of jeopardy.
Michael Carrick’s side launch their Champions League campaign at Old Trafford tomorrow at 8pm, hosting Azerbaijan champions Sabah in a tie they are expected – and required – to control.
Expectation, though, meets awkward reality.
Sabah arrive in Manchester in ruthless early-season form. Three league games, eight goals scored, none conceded. They know how to start fast. United, by contrast, have stumbled into September with a win, a draw and a defeat from their opening Premier League fixtures, conceding twice in each outing. Two of those matches came against newly-promoted Ipswich Town and Hull City.
The numbers tell their own story. United are entertaining. United are open. Carrick needs them to be ruthless.
Carrington roll call: who trained, who didn’t
With journalists granted a glimpse of today’s session, there was at least some clarity on the squad picture ahead of Thursday’s tie.
Amad Diallo remains sidelined, still working back from the minor issue he picked up in pre-season. Matthijs de Ligt is not yet fully back in training either, as he continues his recovery from the back injury that cut short his 2025/26 campaign last November.
The group on the grass this morning was still strong. Among those present were goalkeepers Lammens and Darlow; defenders Mee, Honor, Dalot, Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro, Heaven, Martinez and young left-back Harry Amass. In midfield, Santos, Mount, Tielemans, Mainoo, Fernandes and Thwaites all took part. The attacking options included Dorgu, Cunha, Rashford, Mbeumo, Zirkzee, Lacey and Sesko.
One of the biggest positives was the sight of Marcus Rashford fully involved.
The forward was withdrawn on 70 minutes at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday after feeling some discomfort, a precaution Carrick confirmed post-match. His display that day drew praise as ‘outstanding’ and ‘sharp’, and his presence in training suggests he is on course to feature against Sabah.
On the opposite flank, Luke Shaw was a notable absentee. This time, though, there is no injury alarm. United’s only senior specialist left-back was given a designated rest day, according to BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, a planned pause rather than an enforced one.
His absence opened the door again for 17-year-old Harry Amass, who trained with the senior group as he waits for his first competitive minutes under Carrick. For a youngster in his position, a Champions League opener at Old Trafford would be quite a stage.
A night United cannot afford to drift through
Carrick knows what a flat European start at home can do to a season’s rhythm. United’s defending has already raised questions in the league; Sabah’s early-season cutting edge will test whether those concerns have truly been addressed.
Home crowd. Champions League lights. A visiting champion side yet to concede this season.
United need a performance that looks like a statement, not a warning.
