Manchester United could make four changes for Thursday’s Champions League opener against Sabah, with Benjamin Sesko pushing to start after scoring from the bench at Everton.
Michael Carrick has a difficult balance to strike at Old Trafford. United should be strong favourites against the Azerbaijani champions, but Manchester City visit just three days later.
Marcus Rashford is also a fitness doubt after being withdrawn during Sunday’s 2-2 draw, with ReadManUtd’s latest Man Utd injury news before Sabah tracking his availability alongside Amad, Carlos Baleba and United’s other absentees.
That creates an obvious opportunity for Carrick to freshen his starting XI without weakening it dramatically.
Sesko should get his Man Utd chance against Sabah
Sesko strengthened his claim for a start with his late goal at Everton.
The striker replaced Matheus Cunha and put United 2-1 ahead in the 88th minute before Ainsley Maitland-Niles denied Carrick’s side victory in stoppage time. Reuters reported that Rashford had also been withdrawn after feeling a slight physical issue.
That should influence Thursday’s selection.
Cunha has started through the middle in United’s last two Premier League matches, but Sesko offers Carrick a more conventional number nine and deserves meaningful minutes after his impact on Merseyside.
Rashford does not need to be risked if there is any lingering concern over his fitness before the derby.
Cunha could therefore shift to the left, with Bryan Mbeumo retaining his place on the opposite flank and Bruno Fernandes operating behind Sesko.
United’s attack would remain strong enough to take control of the game while protecting Rashford.
Carrick can rotate defence and midfield
There should be opportunities elsewhere too.
Carrick named an unchanged team for Everton, with ReadManUtd’s confirmed United XI featuring Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez at centre-back and Kobbie Mainoo alongside Youri Tielemans in midfield.
Leny Yoro could now return to the defence.
UEFA has highlighted Yoro as one of United’s players to watch in this season’s Champions League, and Thursday provides Carrick with a good opportunity to give the 20-year-old a start alongside Martinez.
Noussair Mazraoui could also come into the side, allowing Luke Shaw a rest before facing City.
The most interesting midfield decision concerns Andrey Santos.
The Brazilian started United’s opening Premier League defeat at Hull but has played only limited minutes since Mainoo returned to Carrick’s XI. With Baleba unavailable, Sabah provides an opportunity to bring Santos back alongside Mainoo and rest Tielemans.
Carrick does not need to change everyone.
Senne Lammens should remain in goal, while Fernandes and Mbeumo can give a rotated team enough attacking authority to avoid allowing Sabah encouragement.
The visitors are playing in the Champions League league phase for the first time after surviving four qualifying rounds. ReadManUtd’s guide to Sabah explains how Valdas Dambrauskas’ side reached Old Trafford, while UEFA confirms this will be the first competitive meeting between the clubs.
United should respect that journey, but the fixture also gives Carrick a rare chance to manage workloads before the Manchester derby.
Man Utd predicted XI vs Sabah
Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Mazraoui; Mainoo, Andrey Santos; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.
United face Sabah at Old Trafford at 8pm BST on Thursday, with ReadManUtd’s TV channel and live stream guide containing the full viewing details.
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