Manchester United make their Champions League return tonight after a three-year absence after they tackle Sabah at Previous Trafford.
Michael Carrick led a outstanding resurgence throughout the second half of final season following the sacking of Ruben Amorim and their reward is a seat again at Europe’s prime desk.
They couldn’t have wished for a greater opening fixture than in opposition to the Azerbaijani champions, who’ve come by means of 4 qualifying rounds to succeed in this stage for the primary time.
The guests are led by Valdas Dambrauskas, who earned sufficient cash to begin his teaching profession in England by winning the equivalent of £725 on the Lithuanian version of TV show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Stats for Manchester United v Sabah
- United are set to face an Azerbaijani aspect for the primary time ever in European competitors.
- In main European competitors, English groups have by no means misplaced in opposition to sides from Azerbaijan in 11 earlier conferences (W10 D1), with all 11 coming in opposition to Qarabag between 2015-16 and 2025-26.
- United haven’t gained their first recreation in any of their final 4 main European seasons (D1 L3) since successful 2-1 away at Paris Saint-Germain of their first recreation of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League.
- United final featured within the Champions League within the 2023-24 marketing campaign, after they had been eradicated within the group stage. The Pink Devils have gained simply considered one of their final 9 video games within the competitors (D3 L5).
- Sabah will function in a serious European competitors for the primary time of their historical past and turn out to be simply the second workforce from Azerbaijan to play within the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, following Qarabag (eradicated in group stage in 2017-18, reached play-offs in 2025-26).
- This recreation might be 4 years and 291 days since Carrick’s first Champions League recreation as supervisor, in his caretaker spell with United in November 2021 (2-0 win over Villarreal). Solely Gian Piero Gasperini (8y 4d, 2011-19), Vincenzo Montella (6y 350d, 2011-18) and Sergei Semak (5y 182d, 2014-19) have had a much bigger hole between their first two video games.
- Sabah boss Dambrauskas would be the first ever Lithuanian to handle within the Champions League – he has misplaced 5 of his seven main European video games (W1 D1) throughout spells with Ludogorets and Omonia Nicosia. The final Lithuanian participant to function within the Champions League was Deividas Semberas in December 2011 for CSKA Moscow.
- Rashford has been concerned in 25 objectives in 48 Champions League appearances (17 objectives, 8 assists). Nevertheless, Rashford averages a purpose or help extra repeatedly not taking part in for United (one each 89 minutes for Aston Villa and Barcelona) than he does whereas taking part in for the Pink Devils (one each 135 minutes).
- Bruno Fernandes has been concerned in 15 objectives in 19 Champions League appearances for United (6 objectives, 9 assists), scoring or aiding each 100 minutes. Amongst gamers to play 500+ minutes, solely Ruud van Nistelrooy (one each 79 minutes) has scored or assisted extra repeatedly.
The place to Watch Manchester United v Sabah: TV and on-line streams
Manchester United v Sabah kicks off at 8:00pm on Thursday. It will likely be broadcast on TNT Sports activities 1 and might be obtainable to stream by way of HBO Max. Sky subscribers with a TNT bundle included may stream the sport by way of Sky Go.
When you dwell exterior the UK, click on the LINK HERE to seek out out the place to look at it in your area.
