Man Utd v Sabah at 20:00 BST
Bayern Munich v Bodo/Glimt, Como v RB Leipzig & Slavia Prague v Lens
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I don't expect Manchester United to spoil the party of the English clubs that have had brilliant results so far in the Champions League. Michael Carrick's side must do everything within their power to beat Sabah as they look a very odd team among the five representatives from the EPL.
Ernest
Man Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Simon Stone
BBC Sport Manchester United reporter at Old Trafford
Manchester United will wear its Foundation branding on the back of its shirts in the Champions League this season.
United are massively proud of its Foundation. The club estimates it works with 30,000 young people every year, across 129 projects.
It is hoped the move ‘will help to drive awareness of this life-changing work in the local community’.
Through its Street Reds initiative, United provide free evening football and the club invited four youngsters who attend the sessions to a photoshoot at Old Trafford with Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us, offering unparalleled exposure on one of football’s biggest stages during Manchester United's famous European nights,” said Ashley Hackett, who in the summer replaced the Foundation’s long-serving chief executive John Shields.
“We’re incredibly proud of the vital work we do to support young people from communities across Greater Manchester, where our impact is genuinely life changing.”
Image source, Getty ImagesMan Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Warm ups complete...
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesMan Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
The Sabah players must have been pretty delighted when the draw was made and they realised their first Champions League match was a trip to Old Trafford.
Manchester United might not be the European heavyweights of years gone by but there's still something special about playing them on their turf in the Champions League.
I wonder if the nerves are jangling for the Azerbaijan team.
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It feels like Utd overachieved somewhat last season, and there still seems to be a lack of depth within the squad, and it may prove costly balancing the Champions League and Premier League.
Andy M
Although they haven't a hope of winning the Champions League - and will probably lose at Old Trafford tonight - it will be interesting to see how Europe affects their Premier League campaign.
James
Man Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Simon Stone
BBC Sport Manchester United reporter at Old Trafford
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has admitted the three-day turnaround to Sunday’s derby-day clash with City is ‘not ideal’.
City had a Tuesday trip to Porto to start their Champions League campaign.
It means Enzo Maresca has had an extra two days to prepare for the Old Trafford encounter.
Carrick’s first game in charge at United was against City last January, when he masterminded a shock 2-0 win thanks to second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu.
A repeat of that would be very welcome for Carrick and his players, although clearly, they have to get tonight’s match against Sabah FK out of the way first.
“I wouldn't say it's ideal in some ways, but it's not something that we've given too much thought about,” said Carrick.
“We're not in control of that. We've got to deal with the cards that we're dealt and that's what it is, so we'll make the most of it.”
Man Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
It has been a bit of an up and down season for Manchester United so far in the Premier League with one win, one draw and one loss.
There has been a lot of chat about whether their squad is capable of playing twice a week.
They are being somewhat eased into the Champions League with tonight's fixture but sterner tests are ahead with a trip to Atletico Madrid and the hosting of Bayern Munich to come.
Although the turnaround is tight this week with the small matter of a Manchester derby to come on Sunday.
Como v RB Leipzig (20:00 BST)
Julien Laurens
ESPN journalist to BBC Sport
Como's number 10 Nico Paz is at the heart of everything they do with the ball. It's their first time in the Champions League. Cesc Fabregas is the manager, so they're a very entertaining team, nice to watch. Paz is a special player - very much in the making - but he will be a top player very soon.
Image source, Getty ImagesComo v RB Leipzig (20:00 BST)
Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist to BBC Sport
I love what Fabregas is doing with Como and the fact he has decided to stay despite receiving interesting offers in the past two years. He can get it wrong and nothing will happen, which gives the freedom to keep developing his ideas. He has swum against the tide and now he is very much in the train of modern football, and at the front. I expect them to reach the knock-out stages.
Como v RB Leipzig (20:00 BST)
Oooof. Look at that.
About as scenic as it gets as far as football stadiums are concerned.
Image source, Getty ImagesComo v RB Leipzig (20:00 BST)
Tonight is history.
For the first time in their 119-year history, Como will play in the Champions League and demand for tickets has been through the roof.
Como president Mirwan Suwarso said:"With the reduced capacity and the limited number of tickets available, unfortunately we cannot accommodate everyone who would have liked to be there," Suwarso wrote.
"However, some club executives and I have decided to give up our seats for this match.
"We want those seats to be allocated to supporters who have waited the longest - fans born in 1950 or earlier, who have followed Como through every division and every era.
"We will be honoured to give up our seat for them."
Como v RB Leipzig (20:00 BST)
Cesc Fabregas has worked wonders at Italian side Como and they love him there.
From Serie B to the Champions League.
Here's how he did it.
Europe's next great coach? How Fabregas led Como to Champions League
Let's talk about another team, that are making their Champions League debut tonight.
This one you might be a bit more familiar with...
Man Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Simon Stone
BBC Sport Manchester United reporter at Old Trafford
It is amazing to think Sabah FK’s journey to the Champions League league phase began on 16 June.
The Azerbaijan champions weren’t even seeded for the first qualifying round draw. Their ranking was below that of Welsh entrants The New Saints and Larne from Northern Ireland.
It took two second half goals against TNS to earn a first leg triumph that eventually turned into a 4-1 aggregate victory, after which they beat Finnish side KuPS 3-0 over two games before overturning a first leg deficit by beating Danish champions AGF.
Sabah’s run seemed to be over when they trailed Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the third minute of stoppage time in the second leg of their play off tie last month.
Amazingly though, the managed to find an equaliser to take the tie into extra time, when they scored twice and the Israeli side had two players sent off, to make it through.
It is a remarkable tale and no matter what happens tonight, forthcoming home matches against Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona and Napoli, before a last-day trip to Arsenal, will make it a campaign to relish.
Image source, Getty ImagesSabah FK manager Valdas Dambrauskas celebrates with fans after his side's victory over Welsh side The New Saints in July
Man Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist
Azerbaijan side Sabahare very interesting - a success based on organisation - but trips to Arsenal and Manchester United and home games against Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund is a tough introduction. They will give us one or two surprising results, but not enough to go through.
Man Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Sabah are featuring in a major European competition for the first time in their history.
They are just the second team from Azerbaijan to play in the European Cup/Champions League, following Qarabag (eliminated in group stage in 2017-18, reached play-offs in 2025-26).
Image source, Getty ImagesMan Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Touchdown in Manchester...
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesMan Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Simon Stone
BBC Sport Manchester United reporter at Old Trafford
Michael Carrick says winning the Champions League in 2008 gave him the best feeling he ever experienced in football.
Carrick was a key figure in Sir Alex Ferguson’s midfield when Manchester United took on Chelsea in Moscow.
He also had the nerve to step up and take United’s second penalty in the shootout, sending Petr Cech the wrong way and celebrating with a double fist pump.
It was the prelude to the drama of Cristiano Ronaldo and John Terry both failing, before Edwin van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka’s kick to give United the trophy.
“As a one-off feeling and instant kind of emotion, yes, definitely winning the Champions League is the best feeling I've been lucky enough to have as a footballer,” said Carrick.
“On top of that, over time, the longevity of playing over a period of time gives you a lot of satisfaction as a footballer, but to win the Champions League for me was the ultimate and was the best feeling I've had.
“It would be nice someday to feel that again.”
Image source, Getty ImagesMichael Carrick (right) and Wes Brown with the Champions League trophy after Manchester United's victory over Chelsea in Moscow
Man Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
OK that was as a player. But Michael Carrick has actually been here before as a manager too.
During his spell as caretaker Manchester United boss in November 2021, he took charge of a 2-0 Champions League win over Villarreal.
Image source, Getty ImagesMan Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick last played in the Champions League in the 2015-16 season.
That year, United went out in the group stage and dropped down into the Europa League, which they exited at the last-16 stage.
But he was also part of the team that won the competition in 2008 under Sir Alex Ferguson.
He'll be hoping for some more happy memories on the continent.
Image source, Getty Images| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| |
3 Sporting CP | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|
4 Stuttgart | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
12 AEK Athens | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
14 Shakhtar Donetsk | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
15 Fenerbahçe | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
16 PSV | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
18 Bodø / Glimt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
19 Como | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
20 Lens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
23 Sabah | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
24 Slavia Prague | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
| |
26 Club Brugge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
30 LASK | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
32 Galatasaray | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
33 Viking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
34 Porto | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
35 Feyenoord | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
|
36 Slovan Bratislava | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
|
Manager:Michael Carrick
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Valdas Dambrauskas
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Michael Carrick
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Valdas Dambrauskas
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
UEFA Champions League
All competitions
Manchester United are set to face an Azerbaijani side for the first time ever in European competition.
In major European competition, English teams have never lost against sides from Azerbaijan in 11 previous meetings (W10 D1), with all 11 coming against Qarabag between 2015-16 and 2025-26.
Manchester United haven’t won their first game in any of their last four major European seasons (D1 L3) since winning 2-1 away at Paris SG in their first game of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United last featured in the UEFA Champions League in the 2023-24 campaign, when they were eliminated in the group stage. The Red Devils have won just one of their last nine games in the competition (D3 L5).
Sabah will feature in a major European competition for the first time in their history and become just the second team from Azerbaijan to play in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, following Qarabag (eliminated in group stage in 2017-18, reached play-offs in 2025-26).
This game will be 4 years and 291 days since Michael Carrick's first UEFA Champions League game as manager, in his caretaker spell with Man Utd in November 2021 (2-0 win over Villarreal). Only Gian Piero Gasperini (8y 4d, 2011-19), Vincenzo Montella (6y 350d, 2011-18) and Sergei Semak (5y 182d, 2014-19) have had a bigger gap between their first two games.
Sabah boss Valdas Dambrauskas will be the first ever Lithuanian to manage in the UEFA Champions League – he has lost five of his seven major European games (W1 D1) during spells with Ludogorets and Omonia Nicosia. The last Lithuanian player to feature in the Champions League was Deividas Semberas in December 2011 for CSKA Moscow.
Marcus Rashford has been involved in 25 goals in 48 UEFA Champions League appearances (17 goals, 8 assists). However, Rashford averages a goal or assist more regularly not playing for Man Utd (one every 89 minutes for Aston Villa and Barcelona) than he does while playing for the Red Devils (one every 135 minutes).
Bruno Fernandes has been involved in 15 goals in 19 UEFA Champions League appearances for Manchester United (6 goals, 9 assists), scoring or assisting every 100 minutes. Among players to play 500+ minutes, only Ruud van Nistelrooy (one every 79 minutes) has scored or assisted more regularly.
Veljko Simic is the only current Sabah player to feature more than once in the UEFA Champions League, playing five games for Crvena Zvezda in the 2018-19 campaign without scoring or assisting or ending on the winning side (D1 L4).
