Manchester United prepares for Champions League opener against Sabah at Old Trafford
5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 4:26 PM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026
Manchester United returns to the Champions League stage on September 10 with a home match against Azerbaijani debutants Sabah at Old Trafford. Manager Carrick described the tournament as a magical competition and expressed optimism regarding his side's ability to compete with European rivals. The club aims to move past recent group stage exits and improve upon a record that has seen no advancement beyond the quarter-finals since 2011. This season marks the team's first appearance in the tournament's new eight-fixture league phase. Carrick emphasized the goal of establishing consistent results to progress deep into the competition throughout the campaign. The squad will enter the match focused on starting the tournament with a strong performance.
- •Manchester United hosts Sabah on September 10 at Old Trafford.
- •The match is part of the new Champions League eight-fixture league phase.
- •United returns to the competition for the first time since 2023/24.
- •Carrick has not led the team past the quarter-finals in this competition since 2011.
- 4:26 PMYahoo Sports — Why Michael Carrick is dreaming big on Man United’s Champions League return
- 2:56 PMThe Guardian Sport — Carrick up for ‘magical’ Champions League but derby timing ‘not ideal’
- 2:48 PMYahoo Sports — Carrick hails 'magical' Champions League ahead of Man Utd return
- 2:48 PMYahoo Sports — Carrick confident Man Utd can go far in 'magical' Champions League
- 1:50 PMYahoo Sports — Carrick hails ‘magical’ Champions League as Man United return to Europe's big stage
"United play Sabah, then Manchester City on Sunday ‘To win the Champions League was the ultimate’ Michael Carrick is excited to lead Manchester United on their return to the “magical” Champions League but admitted playing on Thursday night was “not ideal” with the derby on Sunday. United welcome Sabah to Old Trafford after a two-year Champions League absence. The Azerbaijani club are making their debut among Europe’s elite, having been in existence for less than a decade. Continue reading...
"Head coach Michael Carrick is excited for Manchester United's return to the "magical" Champions League but admits the scheduling of their opener is not ideal ahead of facing rivals Manchester City. Old Trafford welcomes surprise package Sabah on Thursday as the Red Devils play their first match in the competition since a home loss to Bayern Munich in December 2023.
"Michael Carrick believes Manchester United are strong enough to compete with Europe's best on their return to the Champions League for the first time in three years.In two of their last three appearances in the Champions League, the three-time European champions have crashed out at the group stage and have not progressed beyond the last 16 since 2019.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 4:26 PMWhy Michael Carrick is dreaming big on Man United’s Champions League return
United to return to European football’s top table after more than 1,000 days away with a clash against Azeri champions Sabah. And Carrick is now the link between old and new
- The Guardian SportSep 9, 2026, 2:56 PMCarrick up for ‘magical’ Champions League but derby timing ‘not ideal’
United play Sabah, then Manchester City on Sunday ‘To win the Champions League was the ultimate’ Michael Carrick is excited to lead Manchester United on their return to the “magical” Champions League but admitted playing on Thursday night was “not ideal” with the derby on Sunday. United welcome Sabah to Old Trafford after a two-year Champions League absence. The Azerbaijani club are making their debut among Europe’s elite, having been in existence for less than a decade. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 2:48 PMCarrick hails 'magical' Champions League ahead of Man Utd return
Head coach Michael Carrick is excited for Manchester United's return to the "magical" Champions League but admits the scheduling of their opener is not ideal ahead of facing rivals Manchester City. Old Trafford welcomes surprise package Sabah on Thursday as the Red Devils play their first match in the competition since a home loss to Bayern Munich in December 2023.
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 2:48 PMCarrick confident Man Utd can go far in 'magical' Champions League
Michael Carrick believes Manchester United are strong enough to compete with Europe's best on their return to the Champions League for the first time in three years.In two of their last three appearances in the Champions League, the three-time European champions have crashed out at the group stage and have not progressed beyond the last 16 since 2019.
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 1:50 PMCarrick hails ‘magical’ Champions League as Man United return to Europe's big stage
Michael Carrick has said the Champions League is 'magical' as Manchester United return to the competition tomorrow night.Manchester United make theirChampions League return against Azerbaijani debutan...
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