Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Carrick Says Manchester United Can Go Far in Champions League
Manchester United are going back to the Champions League after being away for three years.
They will play Sabah from Azerbaijan on Thursday.
Their manager, Michael Carrick, says the competition is very special.
He wants the team to compete seriously rather than simply enjoy being there.
United have not gone past the last 16 since 2019.
They have also started this Premier League season slowly.
However, they played well against several strong teams last season.
Carrick believes they can do well, while also warning that some players are experiencing the competition for the first time.
Manchester United will return to the Champions League on Thursday against Azerbaijan side Sabah.
Manager Michael Carrick called the competition “magical” and said United aim to advance as far as possible.
United are back in the tournament for the first time in three years after finishing third in the Premier League last season.
The club have exited at the group stage in two of their last three Champions League appearances and have not passed the last 16 since 2019.
Despite taking four points from their opening Premier League fixtures, Carrick pointed to victories over Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea last season.
- Who
- Manchester United, managed by Michael Carrick, will play Sabah.
- What
- Manchester United are returning to the Champions League and will face Sabah.
- When
- The match is scheduled for Thursday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- The match will be played in the Champions League against Azerbaijan side Sabah; the venue is not stated.
- Why
- United qualified after finishing third in the Premier League last season and want to compete for a deep run in Europe.
Reasons for Optimism
Reasons for Caution
United’s prospects
Reasons for Optimism
Michael Carrick says Manchester United are strong enough to challenge Europe’s best and can go far in the competition.
Reasons for Caution
United have struggled to progress in recent Champions League campaigns, including two group-stage exits in their last three appearances.
Current form
Reasons for Optimism
Carrick highlights United’s wins over Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea in the second half of last season.
Reasons for Caution
United have taken only four points from their opening Premier League fixtures against Hull, Ipswich and Everton.
Experience
Reasons for Optimism
Carrick says the squad is capable of doing “really good things” in the tournament.
Reasons for Caution
He also acknowledges that the competition will be a new experience for some players and says the team should not get ahead of itself.
- Competition
- UEFA Champions League
- Opponent
- Sabah, an Azerbaijan side
- Manager
- Michael Carrick
- United’s return
- First Champions League appearance in three years
- Recent European record
- Group-stage exits in two of the last three appearances
- Last-16 record
- United have not progressed beyond the last 16 since 2019
- Premier League start
- Four points from fixtures against Hull, Ipswich and Everton
- Managerial Champions League gap
- Four years and 291 days between Carrick’s first and most recent Champions League matches as manager