Champions League football returns to Old Trafford on Thursday evening as Manchester United begin their first campaign in Europe’s premier competition for three years against Azerbaijani champions Sabah.

Michael Carrick’s side have collected only four points from their opening three Premier League matches, making a convincing European start particularly welcome before Sunday’s Manchester derby. Sabah arrive in very different circumstances: unbeaten domestically, battle-hardened by four qualifying rounds and preparing for the biggest night in their history.

United return to Europe with questions still to answer

Manchester United’s absence from continental competition last season was an indication of how far the club had slipped, so returning to the Champions League represents an important milestone in the recovery Carrick began after taking charge in January.

United ultimately finished third in the Premier League last season, but their opening weeks of 2026-27 have been less convincing. A 2-0 defeat at newly-promoted Hull City immediately punctured some of the optimism surrounding the new campaign. Victory over Ipswich Town followed, but Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Everton left United 11th with four points from nine.

Their defensive record remains the obvious concern. Carrick is missing Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Carlos Baleba, Amad Diallo and Tom Heaton, while Marcus Rashford requires assessment after being withdrawn with a minor problem at Everton. With Manchester City waiting at the weekend, the United manager must also decide how heavily to rotate without compromising Thursday’s result.

Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui could come into the defence, while Andrey Santos is another candidate for promotion to the starting XI.

The most interesting decision comes at centre-forward. Benjamin Sesko has been introduced gradually but strengthened his case for a start by scoring from the bench against Everton. A home meeting with Sabah looks like an obvious opportunity to give the striker greater responsibility and perhaps begin developing the rhythm he will need as the season progresses.

There is little room for complacency despite the disparity in reputation. United’s last Champions League campaign ended disastrously at the group stage in 2023-24, and they have won only once across their last seven matches at this stage of the competition.

The broader league-phase schedule also increases the importance of Thursday. Atlético Madrid, Roma, Sporting Lisbon, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Como all await, so dropping points in what appears to be United’s most favourable fixture would immediately make their European path more complicated.

Sabah arrive at Old Trafford having earned every step

Calling Sabah inexperienced at Champions League level is accurate, but it risks overlooking what they have already accomplished simply to reach Manchester.

Their European campaign began in early July. Eight Champions League matches later, Valdas Dambrauskas’s team are still standing after eliminating TNS, KuPS, Aarhus and Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

Six victories from those eight qualifiers, including four clean sheets, suggest a side far more comfortable with European football than their debutant status might imply.

Domestic results have reinforced that confidence. Sabah have taken nine points from their first three league fixtures and arrive at Old Trafford after dismantling Zira 5-0. For a team about to enter an environment unlike anything it encounters in Azerbaijan, there could hardly be a better platform.

Their attacking numbers also give United something tangible to worry about. Joy-Lance Mickels has eight goals and an assist from 11 appearances, while Veljko Simić has already contributed seven goals and one assist. Kaheem Parris adds another threat to a forward unit that should not be viewed merely as a collection of players hoping to survive the occasion.

Dambrauskas also travels with a fully available squad, a significant contrast to Carrick’s injury problems. The obvious question is whether Sabah can reproduce their attacking football when the balance of possession changes dramatically.

They have successfully negotiated four qualifying opponents, but Old Trafford represents another category entirely. United should dominate territory and force Sabah to defend deeper and for longer than they are accustomed to.

The visitors’ best opportunities may therefore come in transition. United have hardly looked secure defensively this season, and if Sabah can escape the initial pressure, Mickels and Simić have shown enough form to make those moments count.

Verdict: United should win, but Sabah have earned more respect than the occasion suggests

On individual quality alone, Manchester United should be comfortable favourites.

Even with Carrick rotating and several players unavailable, the depth separating these squads is enormous. Sesko has an opportunity to make his case for a more prominent role, while players coming into the team should have additional motivation with places available ahead of the Manchester derby.

Sabah, however, are not arriving simply to collect the experience of playing at Old Trafford.

They have already won six Champions League matches to get here, have started perfectly in Azerbaijan and possess several forwards in excellent form. Against a United defence that has yet to inspire much confidence, a goal for the visitors would be no shock.

What is much harder to envisage is Sabah containing United for 90 minutes. The home side should eventually create too much pressure and too many chances, even if their opponents contribute to a more competitive evening than many expect.

United’s return to the Champions League should begin with three points – but a clean sheet is considerably less certain.

Tip

Manchester United to win and both teams to score.