Manchester United Hosts Sabah in Champions League Opener

Manchester United is set to begin their Champions League league phase campaign by hosting Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The match, scheduled for an 8 p.m. BST kickoff, marks Manchester United's return to Europe's elite competition under permanent manager Michael Carrick. United enters the fixture with a mixed start to their domestic season, having secured four points from their opening three Premier League matches. Their most recent outing was a 2-2 draw against Everton, where an injury-time equalizer denied them a victory. Sabah, meanwhile, has enjoyed a strong start to their domestic season, leading the Azerbaijani Premier League with three wins from three matches. They also navigated four qualifying rounds to reach the Champions League league phase for the first time in their nine-year history. The home side faces a significant injury list heading into the European opener. Midfielder Manuel Ugarte is sidelined for the remainder of 2026 with a cruciate ligament injury. Summer signing Carlos Baleba is also unavailable due to an ankle issue, with a return expected before the end of September.