Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manchester United’s form is a real eye-opener ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash with Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
The Red Devils punched their ticket back to Europe for the 2026-27 campaign after their third-place Premier League finish under Michael Carrick last season.
Manchester United have been out of the Champions League since 2023 under Erik ten Hag and the Red Devils have never played in the league-phase format.
The Red Devils have also never crossed paths with defending Azerbaijan Premier League champions Sabah in a professional or friendly fixture in football.
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A dejected Manchester United head coach / manager Michael Carrick at full time following the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 6, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Sabah are the team that are in better form out of them and Man Utd ahead of the Champions League clash
Manchester United have had a mixed start to the Premier League campaign after chalking up one win, a draw and a defeat under Red Devils boss Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils lost 2-0 to Hull City before United thrashed Ipswich Town 5-2 in a comeback win, but Carrick’s men were recently held to a 2-2 draw against Everton.
Using data from Sky Sports, United In Focus has compared the Red Devils’ form from their last six matches to how Sabah have been performing recently.
United have one win, three draws and two defeats across their last six matches, as three are from the Premier League season and the other three are from pre-season.
6th September 2026: Man Utd vs Everton — 2-2 (Premier League)
30th August 2026: Man Utd vs Ipswich — 5-2 (Premier League)
22nd August 2026: Hull City vs Man Utd — 2-0 (Premier League)
15th August 2026: Man Utd vs AC Milan — 2-4 (friendly match)
12th August 2026: Man Utd vs Leeds — 1-1 (friendly match)
8th August 2026: PSG vs Man Utd — 1-1 (friendly match)
READ MORE: How Michael Carrick’s three Premier League results in first full season compares with past Man Utd managers
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The Red Devils have netted 11 times against all six of their opponents, but United have conceded 12 times and only kept one clean sheet under Carrick.
Sabah, on the other hand, have had to fight their way into the Champions League for the 2026-27 campaign after qualifying through the play-off rounds.
The Azerbaijan-based side have won four times and lost twice in their last six matches, including scoring 15 times and only conceding nine times.
25th August 2026: Sabah vs Hapoel Be’er Sheva — 5-2 (Champions League qualifying play-offs round)
19th August 2026: Hapoel Be’er Sheva vs Sabah — 2-1 (Champions League qualifying play-offs round)
11th August 2026: Sabah vs AGF Aarhus — 4-0 (Champions League qualifying third round)
5th August 2026: AGF Aarhus vs Sabah — 2-1 (Champions League qualifying third round)
28th July 2026: KuPS Kuopio vs Sabah — 0-2 (Champions League qualifying second round)
21st July 2026: Sabah vs KuPS Kuopio — 1-0 (Champions League qualifying second round)
Sabah have kept three clean sheets compared with United’s one from their last six matches, while the club has netted in all of their Champions League qualifying fixtures.
United will host Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday evening for their Champions League clash, with kick-off slated for 8pm UK time.