Manchester United get their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League campaign underway on Thursday night as they welcome Azerbaijani side Sabah to Old Trafford.
It's been nearly three years since United last featured in Europe's premier club competition.
On that night in December 2023 the club were beaten 1-0 at home to Bayern Munich, with Kingsley Coman netting in the second half to end their faint hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.
Much has changed at the club in the intervening 32 months, with that spell encompassing the entirety of Ruben Amorim's ill-fated reign in charge.
2008 UEFA Champions League winner Michael Carrick appeared to set in motion the dawn of a new era at Old Trafford upon his arrival in the dugout, but a stuttering start to the 2026/27 Premier League season has started to up the pressure on the former United midfielder.
United are the overwhelming favourites to kick their European campaign off with a win and Carrick will be buoyed by the news that Marcus Rashford should be fit to start against Sabah, despite being withdrawn during their 2-2 draw with Everton on Sunday.
Meanwhile it remains unclear whether Luke Shaw will be ready to join him in the starting XI.
The full-back has been given an extra recovery day as he looks to return to full fitness, with Diogo Dalot potentially set to be deployed on the left flank in his absence.
Meanwhile Mason Mount could be poised to feature from the bench after missing the start of the season after picking up a knock as United closed out their pre-season preparations against PSG last month.
Amad, Carlos Baleba and Manuel Ugarte are all set to miss out due to injury.
Manchester United predicted XI to face Sabah
Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui, Santos, Tielemans, Mbuemo, Fernandes, Rashford, Cunha
