Manchester United XI vs Sabah: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Champions League | OneFootball

Red Devils open European campaign against minnows

Manchester United return to the Champions League for the first time in three years when they host Sabah FK on Thursday.

Michael Carrick led his former side back to Europe’s top table with a third-placed finish in the Premier League last term, and that form saw the ex-England international handed the reins on a permanent basis at Old Trafford.

On the injury front, he could be bolstered by the return of Mason Mount, who was pictured in team training ahead of this clash, while centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is in the final stages of recovery from a long-term back problem.

Luke Shaw is the major doubt, as Carrick indicated that the left-back was being managed following the recent 2-2 draw at Everton.

Shaw provided the assist for Benjamin Sesko’s goal at the Hill Dickenson Stadium, and the latter could be in contention to start here, with Carrick revealing that the Slovenian was almost at full fitness after his comeback from a shin niggle that curtailed his end to last season.

Amad Diallo looks to be out until October with an ankle problem, while new signing Carlos Baleba is in a similar boat after his arrival from Brighton and Hove Albion.

As such, United’s lineup for this match could be quite easy to predict.

Doubt: Luke Shaw

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Senne Lammens will start in goal, while it is a toss-up between Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot for the right-back berth.

Questions over Shaw’s availability could see one of the two shifted to left-back, while youngster Harry Amass - who remained at Old Trafford despite late transfer interest - could also push for a place in the side.

In the middle, De Ligt remains a doubt, and Harry Maguire partnered Lisandro Martinez on Merseyside last weekend, having been alongisde Ayden Heaven throughout pre-season.

The young central defender could come back into the team here, while Leny Yoro is also an option.

In the engine room, Mount’s return softens the blow of losing Baleba and Manuel Ugarte to the treatment table, and it has been new signing Youri Tielemans with Kobbie Mainoo in the pivot of Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 recently.

That could continue, but Andrey Santos, the £48m arrival from Chelsea, will also be hoping for a start.

In the attacking third, Bruno Fernandes is likely to be flanked by Bryan Mbeumo to his right, while if Sesko starts, there could be a rest for Marcus Rashford, which could in turn see Matheus Cunha shifted out to the left flank.

Predicted Man Utd XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha

Doubts: Shaw, Mount, De Ligt

Injured: Ugarte, Amad, Heaton