Man Utd vs Sabah: Michael Carrick makes FOUR changes for Champions League opener

Manchester United host Azerbaijan side Sabah at Old Trafford tonight in their opening Champions League fixture of the 2026/27 campaign. Michael Carrick has made four changes from the side that drew 2-2 at Everton on Sunday, with Benjamin Šeško recalled up front.

  • Competition: Champions League (opening fixture of 2026/27 campaign for Man Utd)
  • Venue: Old Trafford
  • Kick-off: TBC (evening fixture, 10 September 2026)
  • Headline selection: Benjamin Šeško starts up front; Marcus Rashford drops to the bench.
  • Changes: Four changes from the 2-2 draw at Everton on Sunday.
  • At stake: United seek their first win of the campaign after a disappointing Premier League start and a last-gasp 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

Confirmed line-ups

Manchester United (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: Senne Lammens; Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, Patrick Dorgu; Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo; Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha; Benjamin Šeško.

Substitutes: Darlow, Mee, Amass, Dalot, Heaven, Maguire, T. Fletcher, Mount, Santos, Lacey, Rashford, Zirkzee.

Sabah (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: Pokatilov; McCarthy, Dashdamirov, Rakhmonaliev, Nwachukwu, Parris, Lepinjica, Mickels, Simić, Puchacz, Zedadka.

Substitutes: Ramazanov, Mirzammadov, Khaibulaev, Isaev, Rustamli, Mutallimov, Erivaldo Almeida, Du Queiroz, Rodrigo Fernandes, Mukhtarov, Mbina.

Selection notes

Michael Carrick has made four changes from the side that drew 2-2 at Everton on Sunday. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens keeps his place despite the defensive reshuffle.

Noussair Mazraoui returns at right-back, with Diogo Dalot dropping to the bench. Leny Yoro comes in for Harry Maguire in the centre of defence, partnering Lisandro Martinez. Patrick Dorgu replaces Luke Shaw at left-back.

Youri Tielemans continues in midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo, meaning Andrey Santos is named among the substitutes.

Further forward, Bryan Mbeumo starts on the right flank and Bruno Fernandes operates as the attacking midfielder behind the striker. Marcus Rashford drops to the bench, with Matheus Cunha moving to the left wing. Benjamin Šeško is recalled up front after scoring off the bench last time out, while Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount are other notable names on the bench.

Analysis: Šeško gets the nod as Carrick reshapes his defence

Carrick's four changes point to two clear priorities: a more athletic back line and a focal point in attack. Leny Yoro coming in for Harry Maguire signals a desire for recovery pace against Sabah's forwards, while Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu offer more natural width from full-back than Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw.

The recall of Benjamin Šeško is the most telling call. After scoring off the bench at Everton, the striker gives United a physical presence in the box, with Matheus Cunha shifting to the left to accommodate him. Marcus Rashford making way is a clear statement that Carrick wants his front line to hold its shape and press from the front.

In midfield, the Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo pairing keeps control and ball progression, with Bruno Fernandes free to roam behind Šeško. That axis should dominate possession against a Sabah side expected to defend deep at Old Trafford.

Talking points

  • Does dropping Rashford to the bench after Sunday's draw signal a permanent shift in Carrick's preferred front three?
  • Is Yoro over Maguire a long-term upgrade, or a one-off response to Everton's late equaliser?
  • With Sabah expected to sit deep, does starting Šeško over a more mobile forward make United too one-dimensional?
  • Can Mainoo and Tielemans control a Champions League game without another defensive-minded midfielder beside them?

What happens next

United will look to build on this Champions League opener when they return to Premier League action. Carrick's new-look defensive pairing and the Šeško-led attack will be judged on whether they can turn possession into goals and avoid the late lapses that cost them at Everton.

Frequently asked questions

Is Benjamin Šeško starting for Man Utd vs Sabah?

Yes, Benjamin Šeško is recalled to the starting line-up after scoring off the bench at Everton on Sunday.

Who is on the bench for Man Utd vs Sabah?

Man Utd substitutes: Darlow, Mee, Amass, Dalot, Heaven, Maguire, T. Fletcher, Mount, Santos, Lacey, Rashford, Zirkzee.

What time is Man Utd vs Sabah kick-off?

The match is an evening kick-off at Old Trafford on 10 September 2026, with the exact time not specified in the source.

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