Photo by Aziz Karimov - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Aziz Karimov - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Manchester United start their Champions League campaign against Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK.
The start of the 2026/27 Champions League is just hours away for Manchester United and Michael Carrick has been gifted a fairly easy start to the tournament on paper.
United learned their eight Champions League opponents from the draw last month, and pot four side Sabah FK are first up for the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
It will be the first time in history that United will face Sabah, and they will arrive in Manchester full of confidence.
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Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images
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How Sabah are faring in the 2026/27 season
It has been a fairly underwhelming start to the season for United, who have picked up just four points from their opening three Premier League games following a 2-2 draw with Everton.
Pressure is building, and United will be heavy favourites against Sabah on Thursday evening.
But Sabah should not be underestimated, and they have started the new season in fine form.
Sabah – 3 matches played, 3 wins, 8 goals scored, 0 goals conceded
Sabah currently sit second in the Azerbaijan Premier League, but only on goal difference to a side who have played one more match than them.
The reigning champions have won all three of their league matches and are yet to concede a goal. Meanwhile, United have conceded two goals in every match played so far this season.
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Sabah won the league for the first time in their history
Only the champions of the Azerbaijan Premier League get the chance to compete in the Champions League, as they are entered into the first qualifying round.
Sabah won the 2025/26 Azerbaijan Premier League, making it their first league title in the club’s history.
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They finished last season on 78 points with only three league defeats all season, two of which came in the final three matches.
Sabah were founded exactly nine years ago on 8 September, 2017 and are nicknamed The Owls.