Michael Carrick previews Manchester United return to Champions League campaign

Manchester United begins its Champions League campaign on Thursday at Old Trafford against Azerbaijani champions Sabah. Manager Michael Carrick expressed optimism regarding the team's potential in the tournament, despite the club having not participated in the competition since 2023. Carrick emphasized that while the goal is to make the club a permanent fixture in the tournament, he remains focused on the upcoming match rather than looking ahead. The team enters this European fixture following a slow start in the Premier League, where they secured four points from their opening three games. Left-back Luke Shaw sat out of training on Wednesday for recovery purposes following the match against Everton, but Carrick indicated the absence is not a long-term concern. Manchester United faces a tight turnaround before the scheduled Manchester derby this Sunday.

• 1:30 PMYahoo Sports — Michael Carrick offers honest view on Manchester United’s Champions League chances ahead of opener