Man Utd v Sabah at 20:00 BST
Bayern Munich v Bodo/Glimt, Como v RB Leipzig & Slavia Prague v Lens
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 ImagesMan Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Opta give Manchester United a 3.6% chance of winning the Champions League.
They are ninth favourites to lift 'Ol Big Ears.
Man Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Simon Stone
BBC Sport Manchester United reporter at Old Trafford
The absence of Luke Shaw from Manchester United's starting line-up is not a surprise.
I did wonder if he might be on the bench but it is clear Michael Carrick is preparing the 31-year-old for Sunday's Manchester derby clash with City at Old Trafford.
It is the first time Patrick Dorgu has started a game for Carrick at left-back, but he was signed as a wing-back and United will hope most of his work tonight is offensive.
The niggle that forced Marcus Rashford off at Everton on Sunday is clearly not that bad, but Carrick is not taking any risks with the England man. Harry Maguire getting a half rest tonight is also with the weekend in mind.
Carrick will hope their involvement tonight is strictly limited.
Fenerbahce 1-1 Roma
Bryan Cristante fired Roma into the lead in Turkey but it was England's Archie Brown who levelled for Fenerbahce just two minutes into the second half.
The Birmingham-born 24-year-old spent four years in Derby's academy but has played his whole professional career abroad.
Brown signed for Fenerbahce in 2025 from Gent in a deal worth around £7m.
Image source, Getty ImagesBayern Munich v Bodo/Glimt (20:00 BST)
Bodo/Glimt are back and last year, they caused quite a stir when they beat Man City in Norway.
But their Champions League campaign couldn't really start much tougher as they take on the mighty Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena.
Image source, Getty ImagesBayern Munich v Bodo/Glimt (20:00 BST)
Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist to BBC Sport
Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane is in a campaign to win the Ballon d'Or. He deserves to be in contention and I do not expect him to drop his level as Bayern's style suits him greatly.
Bayern Munich v Bodo/Glimt (20:00 BST)
Harry Kane is the bookmakers' favourite to collect the Ballon d'Or in London on 26 October.
The England captain scored 73 goals for club and country - 61 for Bayern Munich and 12 for England - in a season in which Bayern won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal and England finished third at the World Cup.
Are we about to see a fifth Englishman to win the prestigious award?
Image source, Getty ImagesBayern Munich v Bodo/Glimt (20:00 BST)
England striker Harry Kane returns to the Bayern Munich starting XI after being on the bench in their previous game.
Jamal Musiala, who complained of suffering from dizziness in August, makes his first start of the season.
Bayern XI: Neuer, Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Davies, Kimmich, Pavlović, Olise, Musiala, Luis Díaz, Kane
Bodo/Glimt are without Jostein Gundersen because of a hamstring injury. Patrick Berg and Sondre Brunstad Fet start in midfield.
Bodo/Glimt XI: Haikin, Bjorkan, Bjortuft, Nielsen, Sjovold, Fet, Berg, Kitolano, Auklend, Blomberg, Helmersen
Man Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
A few changes to the Manchester United XI that drew against Everton at the weekend.
Marcus Rashford drops to the bench with Benjamin Sesko getting the nod up top.
Harry Maguire is also on the bench in place of Lenny Yoro while Luke Shaw is not in the squad with Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu starting.
Man Utd XI: Lammens, Mazraoui, Martinez, Fernandes, Cunha, Dorgu, Yoro, Tielemans, Mbeumo, Sesko, Mainoo.
Subs: Darlow, Mee, Amass, Dalot, Heaven, Maguire, Andrey Santos, Mount, Fletcher, Lacey, Rashford, Zirkzee
Man Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Right then, let's get into some team news...
Man Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Manchester United might have missed out on a couple of years of European action but tonight's match marks their 300th in any European competition.
Man Utd v Sabah FK (20:00 BST)
Simon Stone
BBC Sport Manchester United reporter at Old Trafford
It is just over 1,000 days since Manchester United last played in the Champions League.
A 1-0 home defeat by Bayern Munich on 12 December 2023 – Erik ten Hag’s side had one shot on target – was a miserable way to end a miserable group stage campaign that included a draw at Galatasaray in a match they twice led by two goals and a 4-3 loss in Copenhagen on a night when they led with seven minutes left.
A truly awful record of two knockout round victories since they played Barcelona in the 2011 final is a pitiful return for a club of United’s stature, even if they have reached three Europa League finals in that time.
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe leading a drive to increase revenues and return the club to profitability, success in the Champions League is an obvious way of achieving it.
That means securing a top-24 berth and at least advancing into the playoffs of this season’s competition is a must. Ideally, they would be in the top eight and be rewarded with an automatic passage into the last-16.
With games against Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Sporting Lisbon, Como and Roma amongst others to come, three points against a team from Azerbaijan who didn’t even exist when United won the tournament for the third time in 2008 is a must.
It’s four wins from four by the Premier League clubs so far this week. Carrick’s side need to complete the set.
Image source, Getty ImagesCurrent first team coach Jonny Evans (left) was part of the Manchester United side beaten at Old Trafford by Bayern Munich in December 2023
Here's what Manchester United will be aiming to replicate tonight...
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It is actually already half time in those two early games.
Roma lead Fenerbahce 1-0 away from home while Shakhtar Donetsk are also 1-0 up against PSV.
Image source, BBC Sport| 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).
