Manchester United vs Sabah FK: official line-ups confirmed

After three years away, Manchester United return to the Champions League at Old Trafford against Sabah FK

Europe Today at 13:53

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Manchester United vs Sabah FK: official line-ups confirmed

Live 13’ Champions League

Manchester United

Sabah FK

The three-time European champions return to the competition on Thursday night knowing a strong start to the league phase is essential.

Three years after their last appearance, Manchester United are finally back in the Champions League. The Red Devils host Azerbaijani newcomers Sabah FK at Old Trafford on Thursday, September 10 in their opening league-phase match of the 2026-27 campaign. Against opponents making their debut at this level, Michael Carrick knows anything other than victory would already represent a setback.

Our 300th match in Europe's top competition is here! 😍✨
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 10, 2026

Under the 36-team format, United are no longer placed in a traditional group. Each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents in one overall league table. The top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams finishing ninth to 24th enter the play-offs, making every point valuable from Matchday 1.

Official Manchester United vs Sabah FK line-ups

Manchester United: Lammens - Mazraoui - Martinez - Yoro - Dorgu - Tielmans - Mainoo - Bruno © - Cunha - Mbeumo - Sesko

Sabah FK: Pokatilov - Zedadka - Dashdemirov - Mccarthy - Puchacz — Lepinjica - Rahmonaliyev - Nwachukwu - Simić - Parris - Mickels.

Eight opponents await Manchester United

After Sabah, United’s schedule becomes much tougher. They travel to Atlético Madrid on October 13 and then visit Como on October 21. Roma come to Old Trafford on November 3 before Carrick’s side travel to Sporting CP on November 25.

The final stretch also features major tests. United host RB Leipzig on December 8 and Bayern Munich on January 20, 2027, before finishing away to Villarreal on January 27. Manchester United’s full Champions League schedule leaves little room for error, making the opener against Sabah particularly important.

A return three years in the making

United’s previous Champions League campaign came in 2023-24, when they finished bottom of a group containing Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray with only four points. On their return to Europe’s elite competition, the three-time champions will be determined to erase that memory and bring the great continental nights back to Old Trafford.