Manchester United have several injury issues to monitor before Thursday’s Champions League opener against Sabah, with **Marcus Rashford the main new concern** following the 2-2 draw at Everton.
Michael Carrick confirmed Rashford felt discomfort before being withdrawn after 70 minutes on Sunday. **Amad remains unlikely to return against Sabah**, while summer signing **Carlos Baleba is still working his way back from an ankle problem**.
United host Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday 10 September as they return to the Champions League for the first time since 2023/24.
Rashford’s fitness will be Carrick’s biggest immediate concern.
The 28-year-old started his second consecutive Premier League match at Everton and was one of United’s most threatening attackers before Patrick Dorgu replaced him.
Carrick subsequently confirmed Rashford had **“felt a little bit of something”**, prompting United to take no risks with the forward.
There has not yet been confirmation that Rashford will miss the Sabah game, meaning his availability remains one to watch ahead of Carrick’s pre-match media duties and United’s final training sessions.
That could have a significant impact on Carrick’s selection. Rashford started on the left against both Ipswich and Everton, with ReadManUtd’s [confirmed Manchester United XI at Everton](https://readmanutd.com/2026/09/06/confirmed-man-utd-xi-everton-carrick-unchanged/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) showing the manager chose an unchanged team after the 5-2 victory over Ipswich.
With Manchester City visiting Old Trafford only three days after the Champions League fixture, there is also little reason for United to take an unnecessary risk if Rashford is not fully fit.
Amad has yet to feature in the Premier League this season after suffering a muscle injury in training.
Carrick previously said the winger would be unavailable for “a little bit longer”, and current expectations suggest the Sabah fixture could still arrive too soon. A return against Manchester City on Sunday appears a more realistic possibility if his recovery continues positively.
ReadManUtd has already followed Amad’s recovery alongside Baleba in its [earlier Manchester United injury update](https://readmanutd.com/2026/09/02/man-utd-injury-news-amad-baleba-mount-de-ligt-ugarte/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Baleba is also unlikely to be rushed into his United debut.
The £70million summer arrival joined the club while recovering from an ankle injury suffered during Brighton’s pre-season programme. Carrick previously indicated that the midfielder could require another two or three weeks before returning.
That leaves Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans as the established midfield partnership after starting together in each of United’s last two league matches.
There is more encouraging progress surrounding Matthijs de Ligt, although Thursday could still prove too early for a competitive return.
The centre-back has returned to first-team training following a lengthy absence with a lower-back injury, but Carrick has stressed the need to rebuild his match fitness gradually after months on the sidelines.
Manuel Ugarte remains a longer-term absentee after undergoing rehabilitation following the serious knee injury he sustained during the World Cup.
United therefore enter the Sabah game with several selection decisions still unresolved.
Rashford’s condition is the one most likely to affect Carrick’s immediate plans, while any fresh update on Amad or Baleba could also alter ReadManUtd’s predicted XI before Thursday night’s Champions League opener.