Manchester United’s long-awaited Champions League return was a happy one, with the Premier League side taking apart Sabah 4-0 – ahead of a crucial derby with Man City, no less.
United are back among the European elite for the first time since 2023, a spell of just over 1,000 days, after Michael Carrick’s transformative impact last season.
And despite a slightly sluggish start domestically, and with a new-look midfield still bedding in, United were comfortable winners at Old Trafford, courtesy of goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez.
Azerbaijani champions Sabah, debuting in the Champions League here, did create a few clear chances, but they failed to convert as United built momentum ahead of their Premier League derby with City.
Follow all of the fallout from the Champions League clash with our live blog below:
Manchester United v Sabah LIVE
- Manchester United comfortably beat Sabah 4-0 in Champions League return
- REPORT: Manchester United enjoy triumphant return to Champions League but far sterner tests await
- 68' GOAL! Martinez capitalises on shocker from Sabah keeper (MUN 4-0 SAB)
- 45' GOAL! Sesko quickly extends lead after rounding goalkeeper (MUN 3-0 SAB)
- 42' GOAL! Fernandes doubles lead with tidy finish from Tielemans assist (MUN 2-0 SAB)
- 27' GOAL! Cunha nudges home opener after cross from Dorgu (MUN 1-0 SAB)
Manchester United's upcoming Champions League fixtures
22:23 , Luke BakerThree point with a tidy 4-0 win is a great start to the Champions League for United. But what have they got to come?
Man Utd remaining Champions League fixtures:
- Atletico Madrid (a)
- Como (a)
- Roma (h)
- Sporting (a)
- RB Leipzig (h)
- Bayern Munich (h)
- Villarreal (a)
REPORT: Manchester United enjoy triumphant return to Champions League but far sterner tests await
22:13 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordUnlike many of his players, Michael Carrick has personal experience of the special nights at Old Trafford in the Champions League. This was scarcely one of them, but if Carrick had compiled a list of things he wanted from the evening, this must have ticked nearly every box.
The fixture list made it a low-key comeback to the Champions League but Carrick was able to rest four players ahead of the Manchester derby, take off five more and chalk up a comfortable win.
Read Richard Jolly’s full report:
Man Utd enjoy triumphant return to Champions League but far sterner tests await
Sesko: 'It was perfect for everyone'
22:02 , Luke BakerBenjamin Sesko was interviewed on the pitch by TNT Sports after that win and he was a happy man.
“I think it was perfect for everyone, especially our fans,” said Sesko. “It means a lot to them when they see so many goals.
“It was great for us in general and gives us more motivation for upcoming games. It was definitely a confidence boost here and that’s big. Now it’s important to recover very well and focus on the derby.
“[For my goal], I saw the keeper rushing out, tried to take the ball away from him to make the goal easier and I’m happy to score.
“When everyone can score, its important. Hopefully we’ll have many games where we have lots of different scorers.”
'Michael Carrick got what he wanted'
21:56 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordSome final thoughts from Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
“Michael Carrick will have got most of what he wanted from tonight: resting some players, taking others off, seeing Cunha get a first goal of the season and learning about some of his newer players or, in one or two cases, players in a newer role.”
FULL-TIME! Man United 4-0 Sabah
21:55 , Luke BakerJob done for the Red Devils. Up and running in the Champions League - a first win in the competition since October 2023.
Goals for Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez
FULL-TIME! Man United 4-0 Sabah
21:53 , Luke BakerAll over at Old Trafford. A very happy return to Champions League football for Man United. Four goals, three points on the board and they can head into Sunday’s Manchester derby with a shot of confidence.
MISS! Man United 4-0 Sabah, 90+1 mins
21:52 , Luke BakerSabah should have a consolation goal. But for the second time in this match they’ve missed a golden opportunity with a header.
Mickels (the man who missed a header from four yards out in the first half) whips a lovely ball in from the left and Mbina is unmarked six yards out but somehow contrives to head the ball over the bar. Head it down and on target and it’s a goal... Have to score.
Man United 4-0 Sabah, 90 mins
21:50 , Luke BakerThree minutes of added time. One last moment of magic?
CLOSE! Man United 4-0 Sabah, 86 mins
21:46 , Luke BakerA rare moment for Sabah as Mickels gets into the area and flashes a powerful shot across the face of the goal. Just wide of Lammens’ far post though
'Cunha fortunate to avoid a red card'
21:44 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly’s take on that Cunha foul.
“Just seeing a replay, Cunha looked distinctly fortunate to avoid a red card for that high challenge. United's next European game is against one of his old clubs, Atletico Madrid. A red card and he would have been banned for it.”
WATCH: Disaster for Sabah goalkeeper
21:42 , Luke BakerHere’s that fourth Man United goal. An absolute debacle from Stas Pokatilov.
Lisandro Martínez pounces on a defensive mistake from Sabah to make it four 🫣
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 10, 2026
📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/eTAYgMmV9Q
Man United 4-0 Sabah, 82 mins
21:41 , Luke BakerOoh, that’s a painful one. Cunha tries to clear the ball, follows through and catches the Sabah player on the shin. Free-kick.
We’re really just playing out the string in this game now to be honest.
Man United 4-0 Sabah, 76 mins
21:36 , Luke BakerNice from Amass, under pressure from Mickels but escpaes and lays off a nice pass. Applause from the Old Trafford crowd.
'This second half could be a learning exercise'
21:33 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordMore from Richard Jolly on the ground.
“This season, unlike last, Carrick will have to rotate and use his squad so this second half could be a learning exercise.
“Harry Amass is not likely to figure much but as United did not sign a left-back in the summer, he may get some minutes at some point.”
Man United 4-0 Sabah, 71 mins
21:32 , Luke BakerDeary me. Pokatilov really won’t want to see that again. Comical stuff. Still, every goal helps the goal difference for United.
Now Carrick brings on a couple of youngsters as Harry Amass and Shea Lacey enter the fray, with Mbeumo and Dorgu getting a bit of a breather ahead of the weekend.
GOAL! Man United 4-0 Sabah (Lisandro Martinez, 68 mins)
21:30 , Luke BakerIt’s 4-0 but this a stinker from Sabah goalkepeper Stas Pokatilov.
The free-kick is cleverly dinked over the wall to Zirkzee who produces a clever backheel from the by-line into the six-yard box. The ball bounces off Pokatilov, he can’t find it, does a 360-degree spin, the ball hits his knee and Lisandro Martinez pokes in from point-blank range.
Tragic. Truly tragic. Pokatilov got himself in a spin. Literally...
Man United 3-0 Sabah, 67 mins
21:27 , Luke BakerThat is cynical from Lepinjica. Fernandes with a nice lay-off to Mount running on the ball and the Sabah man trips him from behind to stop him in his tracks. A deserved booking.
'On comes Zirkzee - a sign there isn't much at stake...'
21:26 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordRichard Jolly’s thought on the subs.
“On comes Joshua Zirkzee, a clear sign there isn't much at stake, and Andrey Santos, who has not started since his ill-fated outing at Hull.
“The next half-hour will be notable for who comes off and when. It seems safe to assume that Rashford and Maguire will not go on, saving them for City.”
Man United 3-0 Sabah, 65 mins
21:24 , Luke BakerOooh, decent effort from the free-kick from Puchacz. It flies wide but not by much and Lammens was scrambling across.
A couple of United subs - the mooted Zirkzee for Seko change and Andrey Santos on for Mainoo
Man United 3-0 Sabah, 62 mins
21:22 , Luke BakerUnited pressing for a fourth now. Fernandes takes aim from distance, the shot is dipping but Pokatilov gathers it well.
Dorgu then gets booked for bringing down Parris as the Jamaican scampers upfield. Parris is fine but he’s promptly subbed anyway, with Aleksey Isayev coming on
Man United 3-0 Sabah, 58 mins
21:18 , Luke BakerMazraoui cuts inside from the right and rifles a shot goalwards but it flies harmlessly over the bar
Man United 3-0 Sabah, 56 mins
21:15 , Luke BakerWith the Manchester derby on Sunday, this second half may be used by Carrick to rotate his players and keep key men fresh, with the game already won.
Their next sub looks set to be Joshua Zirkzee on for Sesko.
Man United 3-0 Sabah, 52 mins
21:12 , Luke BakerDorgu does well to prevent a corner as he manages to flick the ball out for a throw instead. Sabah try the long throw into the box but it’s well defended
Man United 3-0 Sabah, 48 mins
21:08 , Luke BakerWill this second half peter out or will we have some excitement?
United come forward into the early going and it’s another nice touch from Fernandes but the attack comes to nothing
'Mount's first appearance of the season'
21:06 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordLatest from Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
“On comes Mason Mount, a Champions League winner and a man who was playing well in pre-season until, unsurprisingly, he was injured. This is first appearance of the season.”
KICK-OFF! Man United 3-0 Sabah
21:05 , Luke BakerBack underway at Old Trafford. Mason Mount off the bench for Youri Tielemans.
WATCH: Man United's first-half goals
20:55 , Luke BakerIt’s all going rather swimmingly for Man United at Old Trafford this evening.
Here are a couple of their three goals so far
Matheus Cunha opens the scoring for Manchester United with his first ever Champions League goal 🏄
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 10, 2026
📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/ZDQBbEfizq
Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans combine to double Manchester United’s lead ✌️
📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/nZnkwLWJ00
'Sabah must rue that Mickels miss'
20:53 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordMore thoughts from Richard Jolly on the ground at Old Trafford
“Game over now, surely, after that Sesko goal and Sabah must rue that Mickels miss.
“Bruno Fernandes had done more than any other player to return United to the Champions League, so it is fitting that he scored on their first night back in it.”
HALF-TIME! Man United 3-0 Sabah
20:51 , Luke BakerAnd there’s the half-time whistle. Man United in complete control now.
They were frustrated for the opening 25 minutes or so but Matheus Cunha broke the deadlock and then a quickfire double before half-time, from Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko, has surely ended this game as a contest.
Michael Carrick will be delighted.
GOAL! Man United 3-0 Sabah (Benjamin Sesko, 45 mins)
20:49 , Luke BakerActually, make that three before half-time! Benjamin Sesko the man who grabs the third.
A ball is lofted forward to Mbeumo, who slots it through the defensive line for Sesko to run on to.
Pokatilov rushes off his line, Sesko nips the ball round him, is almost brought down by the goalkeeper but stays on his feet and has enough balance to slot the ball into the net with his left foot despite a sliding defender. Good finish
Man United 2-0 Sabah, 44 mins
20:48 , Luke BakerA second goal before half-time, exactly what United needed.
GOAL! Man United 2-0 Sabah (Bruno Fernandes, 42 mins)
20:47 , Luke BakerThat’s a lovely goal from Man United. The interplay is very neat and Tielemans then surges into the box, he stops on a sixpence, lays the ball back to Bruno Fernandes and the skipper strokes the ball, first-time, beyond Pokatilov. Class all round.
Man United 1-0 Sabah, 41 mins
20:45 , Luke BakerDorgu, who has looked lively going forward from left-back, gets in a good position again and thunders a shot goalwards but a lunging Zedadka blocks it wide
WATCH: Cunha gives Man United the lead
20:44 , Luke BakerHere’s the goal that separates the sides so far. Cunha slotting home from close range
Matheus Cunha opens the scoring for Manchester United with his first ever Champions League goal 🏄
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 10, 2026
📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/ZDQBbEfizq
'Kaheem Parris has looked very good'
20:43 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s the latest from Richard Jolly at Old Trafford.
“Kaheem Parris has looked very good on the right flank for Sabah. He crossed for the chance Mickels missed and, while Dorgu has been good going forward, he has been troubled defensively by Parris.”
MISS! Man United 1-0 Sabah, 36 mins
20:41 , Luke BakerWell, well, well. That should be 1-1! Sabah attack and Parris gets into a great position down the left and digs out a looped cross to the back post.
The in-form, Man United-supporting Mickels is there, less than six yards out, rises highest, outmuscling Mazraoui, but somehow sticks his header into the side netting. A dismal miss really. He HAS to score. But to not even hit the target...
He’s a man in form after scoring a hat-trick at the weekend but that one may haunt him
CLOSE! Man United 1-0 Sabah, 34 mins
20:37 , Luke BakerNot far away from Sesko. Dorgu sidefoots in a cross from the left, it’s slightly behind Sesko but he hooks a shot goalwards from 12 yards out and it only slips narrowly wide. Decent effort
Man United 1-0 Sabah, 33 mins
20:36 , Luke BakerHe’s got a bit about him, Kaheem Parris. The Jamaican international runs at Dorgu again and wins a corner for the underdogs.
But Lammens comes off his line to claim the cross well. The Belgian commanding his box.
Man United 1-0 Sabah, 31 mins
20:34 , Luke BakerParris does well in attack, running at the United defence and looking dangerous but then a moment of disaster in his own box as he scuffs an attempted clearance. It falls to Dorgu, who fires in a shot, but it’s blocked by the visitors.
Man United 1-0 Sabah, 29 mins
20:33 , Luke BakerWill that goal help open the floodgates for United? Or at least take the pressure off slightly?
'Cunha has looked better on the left'
20:32 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordHere’s Richard Jolly’s take on that goal.
“Matheus Cunha didn't score when playing as a supposed centre-forward this season. He has found the net, and looked better, starting off the left.”
GOAL! Man United 1-0 Sabah (Matheus Cunha, 27 mins)
20:31 , Luke BakerThere’s the breakthrough! It’s poor from Sabah, giving the ball away as a simple pass inside goes astray.
From there, United are clinical. Dorgu puts in a low cross from the left, McCarthy is playing Matheus Cunha onside and he can steer the ball home from six yards.
A first Champions League goal for the former Wolves man!
'United haven't made enough chances'
20:30 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordMore from Richard Jolly at Old Trafford.
“A quarter of the game gone and United really haven't made enough chances. That was a great interception by Dashdamirov to deny Sesko a tap-in, but there have only been two saves for Stas Pokatilov to make.”
Man United 0-0 Sabah, 25 mins
20:29 , Luke BakerA decent shooting chance worked by Mbeumo but he can’t get the power behind his strike and it’s straight at Pokatilov. Mbeumo winces and raises his eyes to the sky in frustration. He’ll feel he should have done better there.
Man United 0-0 Sabah, 23 mins
20:28 , Luke BakerA few groans from the fans around Old Trafford as United show little urgency with a counter-attack opportunity.
When the hosts do get down the other end, it’s good defending from Dasdamirov to cut out Fernandes’ low, fizzed cross aiming for Sesko. Sabah then deal with the corner.
Man United 0-0 Sabah, 20 mins
20:23 , Luke BakerUnited shift the ball around on the edge of the Sabah box but no one takes the shot. Eventually Fernandes does but his effort is deflected wide for a corner.
The corner is whipped in but too close to Pokatilov, who claims with ease. The Sabah keeper is still yet to be genuinely tested by a good chance.
Man United 0-0 Sabah, 19 mins
20:22 , Luke BakerNice build-up by Sabah, great touch by Simic and he then cuts across the field. An eventual cross into the box is straight into the waiting arms of Lammens though.
South African centre-back Aden McCarthy has looked sharp at the other end, making a couple of crucial tackles and clearances
Man United 0-0 Sabah, 16 mins
20:18 , Luke BakerNice interplay from United but it’s brought to a halt when Dorgu is deemed to use his arm to control the ball.
Cunha then harries Zedadka to try and win the ball back in an attacking position but fouls the Sabah man.
Man United 0-0 Sabah, 14 mins
20:17 , Luke BakerA couple of corners for United but they come to nothing. Sabah right-back Zedadka then gets upfield and tries to beat Martinez at the byline but the United defender is strong enough to win a goal-kick.
'Mazraoui has a point to prove'
20:15 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordLatest from Richard Jolly at Old Trafford this evening
“A rather lively start from Noussair Mazraoui, who has got forward quite a lot. He was dropped after the defeat to Hull and may have a point to prove. Diogo Dalot hasn't been great since replacing Mazraoui.”
Man United 0-0 Sabah, 11 mins
20:13 , Luke BakerMazraoui tries a shot from 25 yards but it’s blocked by a crowd of Sabah players. The Moroccan then receives a lovely weighted pass from Fernandes in the box but his shot is harmlessly into the side netting.
Mazraoui is yet to score for Man United in almost 100 appearances by the way...
SAVE! Man United 0-0 Sabah, 8 mins
20:12 , Luke BakerDecent corner in but Dorgu rises well to clear. United try to break but the ball is turned over and Jamaican international Kaheem Parris strides forward a long way in possession before being dispossessed.
Then at the other end, a first save as Cunha tries a snapshot that Pokatilov pushes round the post. Sabah then deal with the corner effectively
Man United 0-0 Sabah, 6 mins
20:09 , Luke BakerSabah looking fairly tidy so far, although there’s a frisson of danger in the air when they play the ball around at the back. But the Azeri champions certainly aren’t no-hopers.
United yet to create anything and, in fact, Sabah win the first corner of the game.
Man United 0-0 Sabah, 4 mins
20:07 , Luke BakerFernandes wins a second ball and passes first time to Sesko but it’s sloppy from the striker as he immediately gives the ball away.
United then press hard and goalkeeper Pokatilov only just gets the ball away under pressure. An ooh goes round Old Trafford.
Man United 0-0 Sabah, 2 mins
20:05 , Luke BakerMan United pressing hard early on as Sabah try to move up the field and win a couple of throw-ins.
When the hosts do get the ball back, they’re happy to patiently stroke it around, waiting for an opening to emerge.
KICK-OFF! Man United 0-0 Sabah
20:04 , Luke BakerUnderway at Old Trafford. Man United are back in the Champions League
Man United v Sabah
20:01 , Luke BakerA minute’s silence for the flooding in Nepal.
Man United v Sabah team news
19:59 , Luke BakerThe teams are out on the pitch at Old Trafford. Here’s a reminder of how they line up.
Four changes for Man United as Mazraoui, Yoro, Dorgu and Sesko come in.
Man United XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Yoro, Martinez, Dorgu; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Sabah XI: Pokatilov, McCarthy, Dashdamirov, Rakhmonaliev, Nwachukwu, Parris, Lepinjica, Mickels, Simic, Puchacz, Zedadka.
'This is Sabah's second Champions League game in England this season'
19:55 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordMore from Richard Jolly at Old Trafford this evening
“This is Manchester United's first Champions League game of the season but Sabah's second in England already. They beat the Welsh champions, The New Saints, in Oswestry in July, before the World Cup had finished.”
Carrick offers pre-match thoughts
19:51 , Luke BakerAnd here’s some more extensive pre-match thoughts from Carrick as he prepares to bring United back to the Champions League for the first time since 2023
“We’re expecting a big challenge tonight”
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 10, 2026
Michael Carrick shares his thoughts ahead of Manchester United’s return to the Champions League 💭
📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/eIe4Qfzz9B
Michael Carrick explains changes and Shaw absence
19:46 , Luke BakerMichael Carrick has explained Luke Shaw’s absence from the squad this evening and discussed his four changes - with Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yorko, Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko all coming in
"It's a little bit of that [managing him]," Carrick told TNT Sports. "He came off the other day [at Everton] with a little bit of cramp. We didn't want to take any risks really.
"We tried to manage him so we will see how he is after this one."
On the four changes, Carrick said: "We wanted to change a little bit and freshen things a little bit, but try to get the balance right.
"Attacking-wise, we feel we're really strong. I feel we've got a really good team, you know, and a good squad. We didn't want to change too many. It's not easy, as you know, playing in a team with too many changes as well."
Old Trafford warm-ups
19:38 , Luke BakerThe warm-ups are in full swing at Old Trafford
WATCH: Why Carlos Baleba fixes Man United’s biggest problem
19:27 , Luke BakerMan United are still waiting for summer singing Carlos Baleba to get up to speed and make his debut but Adam Clery has made an ACFC video explaining why the former Brighton midfielder is exactly what the Red Devils need
The Man United fan leading Sabah's attack
19:20 , Luke BakerSabah winger Joy-Lance Mickels was more excited than most when the Azeri champions drew Man United as the opponent for their Champions League debut.
Mickels, who was born in Germany and is a Rwanda international, is a big Man United fan, so playing at Old Trafford will be a dream come true for the 32-year-old.
Man United fan Joy-Lance Mickels can't wait to make his Champions League debut at Old Trafford for Sabah ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VLcjzEpSMw
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 10, 2026
Man United v Sabah
19:13 , Luke BakerAfter more than 1,000 days since their last Champions League game, Man United are back at the top table.
'The least surprising change is Luke Shaw sitting this one out'
19:06 , Richard Jolly at Old TraffordRichard Jolly is our man on the ground at Old Trafford this evening - here’s his thoughts on the United line-up
“Michael Carrick faced a decision as to how strong a team to pick tonight, given there is a Manchester derby on Sunday. He makes four changes.
“The least surprising is that Luke Shaw sits this one out. Patrick Dorgu plays at left-back for the first time under Carrick. Meanwhile, there are first starts of the season for Leny Yoro and Benjamin Sesko.”
Sabah team news
18:59 , Luke BakerHere’s how Sabah will line up this evening.
I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on the Azeri champions but Rwanda international (and Man United fan) Joy-Lance Mickels starts on the wing after hitting a hat-trick in a 5-0 thrashing of Zira at the weekend, while Serbian striker Veljko Simic is up top.
Sabah XI: Pokatilov, McCarthy, Dashdamirov, Rakhmonaliev, Nwachukwu, Parris, Lepinjica, Mickels, Simic, Puchacz, Zedadka.
Man United team news - Dorgu at left-back, Sesko up top
18:52 , Luke BakerLet’s have a bit of a closer look at that United side that Michael Carrick has named.
Rotation has really come at the back where Patrick Dorgu, largely deployed as a winger under Carrick, looks to have shifted backwards to left-back. Leny Yoro starts at centre-back, with Noussair Mazraoui at right-back.
Benjamin Sesko also gets the start up front, presumably shifting Matheus Cunha to the left wing as Marcus Rashford drops out. So it’s four changes from the XI that started the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Everton
Man United XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Yoro, Martinez, Dorgu; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Man United team news
18:49 , Luke BakerHere we go. United have named their team for their first Champions League game since 2023.
Michael Carrick has made some changes, with three of the back four changing from Sunday’s draw with Everton. Benjamin Sesko also starts as a fourth alteration
Man United XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Yoro, Martinez, Dorgu; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Presenting your Champions League Reds 📋❤️🔥
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 10, 2026
Team news imminent
18:44 , Luke BakerWe’ll find out how Man United are lining up this evening shortly.
How much rotation will Michael Carrick employ against the champions of Azerbaijan?
Old Trafford is ready
18:39 , Luke BakerIt’s overcast in Manchester but Old Trafford is ready for the return of Champions League football
Old Trafford is #UCL ready 🏟️✨ pic.twitter.com/eRdwNcgRoh
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 10, 2026
The new issue threatening to derail Man United’s season
18:30 , Luke BakerAs Michael Carrick knows from first-hand experience, Manchester United are no strangers to early-season defensive mishaps away at Everton.
Fourteen years before Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ 96th-minute equaliser at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Rio Ferdinand joined a list of injured centre-backs, midfielder Carrick had to fill in and was bullied by his future teammate Marouane Fellaini, who scored a winner for David Moyes’ Everton.
As Carrick and Moyes, United and Everton renewed acquaintances in Sunday's 2-2 draw, there was a different kind of continuity. United maintained their record of conceding two goals in every game this season.
It would scarcely be ideal whatever the fixture list but they have played Hull and Ipswich, each in the Championship last year, and Everton, who only outscored five teams in the Premier League then. In the equivalent fixtures last season – substituting in the sides promoted in second and via the play-offs – United only conceded twice in total.
Read Richard Jolly’s full analysis of a new problem at United:
The new issue threatening to derail Man United’s season
From Man United Soccer School to Sabah boss
18:20 , Luke BakerSabah boss Valdas Dambrauskas has a fascinating backstory.
The Lithuanian began his coaching journey at Man United’s Soccer School and now he’s managing against them in the Champions League.
Remarkable really.
"I had my interview in one of the executive suites." 👀
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 10, 2026
Valdas Dambrauskas was once a coach at Man Utd's Soccer School. Now he's facing them in the Champions League 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xuugFlaj1V
WATCH: Copa Independent | Why the Premier League's financial might still can't bully Europe's giants in the Champions League
18:11 , Luke BakerA bit of pre-match viewing for you. The latest episode of our Copa Independent podcast sees the team discussing the Premier League sides’ chances in the Champions League.
Michael Carrick optimistic over Man United's Champions League chances
18:04 , Luke BakerMan United may have made a slow start to the Premier League, with only four points to show from their first three games, but Michael Carrick is optimistic for their chances in Europe.
He said: “I think we're capable of doing some really good things in this competition and going further down the line in this competition, and then who knows when it gets to that stage. I'm not writing anything off.
“We're delighted to be here, but we're not here to just enjoy the occasion. We're here to do business and go as far as we possibly can.
“We want to keep pushing, and the expectation is great. We want the expectation, we want the hope and the belief that we can achieve things quickly. That's the ultimate challenge, you know. We've done an awful lot of good work to be here in a short space of time, and credit to the players for that.”
Will Luke Shaw be fit this evening?
17:55 , Luke BakerThere is a question mark as to who will start at left-back for Man United tonight, with Luke Shaw a potential doubt.
Shaw sat out training on Wednesday and, while he was ever-present in the Premier League last season, United’s busier schedule has brought questions if the veteran can play every game.
“We just gave him an extra recovery day,” Carrick explained in his pre-match press conference.
“We’ll see how he is, but it's not an ongoing thing or a plan or anything like that. It was just off the back of the game [at Everton] the other day. So each individual has kind of different little things that we manage and Luke was one of them today.”
Why Michael Carrick is dreaming big on Man United’s Champions League return
17:47 , Luke BakerMichael Carrick is an instant reminder of the glory days at Manchester United. The manager who returned them to the Champions League was a player who won it.
When United were the biggest club who were not in Europe last year, they turned to a man who conquered it. As they make their comeback in the Champions League, it is under a man who knows what it is like to win it and who hopes to experience it again.
There is an ambition to Carrick. He knows what United was and imagines what it could be again. An opener against the champions of Azerbaijan, Sabah, may be a far cry from some of his meetings with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and AC Milan, but Carrick hopes it is the start of something in the Champions League.
Read Richard Jolly’s full piece:
Why Michael Carrick is dreaming big on Man United’s Champions League return
Early Sabah team news
17:34 , Luke BakerSabah come into their Champions League debut with confidence after thrashing Zira 5-0 at the weekend, with Rwanda international Joy-Lance Mickels hitting a hat-trick, while Serbian striker Veljko Simic is set to start.
Sabah predicted XI: Pokatilov; Isayev, Dashdamirov, Solvet, Puchacz; Rakhmonaliyev, Lepinjica; Mutallimov, Simic, Nwachukwu; Mickels
Early Man United team news
17:32 , Luke BakerMatthijs De Ligt (back), Amad Diallo (ankle), Manuel Ugarte (knee) and Tom Heaton (hamstring) remain injured for Man United, Carlos Baleba is still not ready either.
United have a 25-man A-List squad, though a B-List includes the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro. Marcus Rashford is carrying a knock after coming off against Everton and was "feeling a bit of something,” according to Michael Carrick.
Man United predicted XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
How to watch Man United v Sabah
17:30 , Luke BakerKick-off at Old Trafford in the Champions League this evening is at 8pm BST.
The game will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with a live stream to be found on HBO Max. Coverage starts at 7pm BST.
Manchester United v Sabah
16:43 , Luke BakerGood afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Manchester United vs Sabah.
United are back in the Champions League after more than 1,000 days away and have the champions of Azerbaijan as their first opponents.
Can Michael Carrick’s men get their European campaign off to the perfect start?
