Carrick Rings the Changes: Four Switches for United’s Champions League Opener

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has made four alterations to his starting XI for tonight’s UEFA Champions League opener against Sabah FK at Old Trafford. The match launches United’s campaign in the continental tournament’s league phase for the 2026/27 season. In defense, Carrick has reshuffled three of his four positions. Moroccan international Noussair Mazraoui returns to the starting lineup at right-back, displacing Diogo Dalot, who drops to the bench.

In the central defensive pairing, French prospect Leny Yoro is introduced to partner Lisandro Martinez, with veteran defender Harry Maguire named among the substitutes. At left-back, Patrick Dorgu starts in place of Luke Shaw. Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens retains his starting spot in goal. The midfield pivot remains anchored by Belgian international Youri Tielemans and academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo, leaving Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos on the bench.

Carrick, who won the Champions League as a Manchester United player in 2008, has named a strong bench that provides substantial tactical flexibility. Along with Rashford, Dalot, and Maguire, United’s substitutes include goalkeeper Karl Darlow, veteran defender Ben Mee, midfielder Mason Mount, forward Joshua Zirkzee, and highly rated youth academy products Harry Amass, Tyler Heaven, Tyler Fletcher, and Shea Lacey.

Further forward, Carrick has adjusted his attacking configuration. Marcus Rashford has been named as a substitute, prompting a reshuffle where Matheus Cunha shifts out to the left wing. This positional move opens up the central striker role for Slovenian forward Benjamin Šeško, who earned his promotion to the starting eleven after scoring as a substitute against Everton. Bryan Mbeumo continues on the right flank, while club captain Bruno Fernandes occupies his familiar playmaker role in central attacking midfield.

Carrick’s squad adjustments follow a frustrating domestic outing on Sunday, when United conceded a late equalizer to draw 2-2 against Everton at Goodison Park. Tonight’s selections reflect an effort to balance player workload while establishing a strong foundation in Europe. The matchup takes place under the modern UEFA Champions League format, which replaced the traditional group stage with a single 36-team league table. Each team plays eight matches against eight different opponents, making home fixtures against lower-ranked opposition critical for clubs aiming to finish in the top eight and secure direct qualification to the round of 16.

The match marks a historic moment for Sabah FK, a club established in 2017 and based in Masazir, near Baku. The Azerbaijani club has enjoyed a rapid rise in domestic football to secure its place on the grandest stage of European football. Sabah’s starting lineup at Old Trafford features Kazakhstan international goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov, alongside a defensive and midfield unit consisting of McCarthy, Dashdamirov, Rakhmonaliev, Nwachukwu, Parris, Lepinjica, Mickels, Simić, Puchacz, and Zedadka.

**Manchester United Starting XI:** Lammens; Mazraoui, Yoro, Martinez, Dorgu; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Šeško.

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

**Sabah FK 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.