United return to Champions League as Sabah chase Old Trafford upset

United will face a team from Azerbaijan for the time in Europe. The history of teams against Azerbaijani clubs will give the home team confidence. English teams have played against Qarabag 11 times. Never lost, winning 10 matches and drawing one. This is news for a Manchester United team that needs a strong start in Europe.

Manchester United have not won their opening match in a campaign since they beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in their first Champions League game of the 2020-21 season. Their overall record in the competition is also not good. They have won one of their last nine Champions League matches drawing three and losing five. They were eliminated in the group stage in the 2023-24 season.

Michael Carrick is back in the Champions League dugout for Manchester United for the time in four years and 291 days. His last match in charge of the club in the competition was against Villarreal in November 2021. Three managers have had a longer break between Champions League games: Gian Piero Gasperini, Vincenzo Montella and Sergei Semak. Carrick knows what Old Trafford expects: a win, goals and a strong performance.

Sabah arrive with pressure on them. 

Their first European campaign at any level is already a moment for the club and its players. Valdas Dambrauskas has lost five of his seven European matches as a coach, with Ludogorets and Omonia Nicosia but this will be his first Champions League game. He is also the Lithuanian manager to lead a team in the competition.

Sabah have a player that Manchester United must watch. The Serbian winger Veljko Simic scored six goals in qualifying. Will be a big threat. He played five Champions League matches for Red Star Belgrade without a goal, assist or win. His recent performance for his club has been excellent.

Sabah have scored in 14 games in all competitions. They have won five of their six matches scoring 18 goals and conceding only four. This makes them more dangerous than their status as newcomers might suggest.

For Manchester United Bruno Fernandes remains the link between midfield and attack. 

He has 15 goal contributions in 19 Champions League appearances for the club with six goals and nine assists. Only Ruud van Nistelrooy has a goal-contribution rate for United in the competition.

Marcus Rashford also wants to make an impact after returning from loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona. He has 17 goals and eight assists in 48 Champions League appearances for United. His goal-contribution rate away from Old Trafford was better than his record with his hometown club. A regular starting role under Carrick could help him find his form again.

Manchester United have won one drawn one and lost one of their opening three Premier League matches. They have scored seven goals. Conceded six which is not the defensive record Carrick will want to see going into Europe.

Complacency is something Manchester United must avoid. If Sabah leave Old Trafford with a point it will feel like a nightmare result for the home side.

Manchester United are expected to win. Sabah arrive in good form with nothing to fear and a clear chance to make the biggest night, in their clubs history even more memorable.