Hendra Wijaya
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has insisted that his squad possesses the requisite quality to compete alongside Europe’s finest teams as the English club prepares to make its long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League following a three-year absence. The Red Devils will open their new league phase journey on Thursday evening when they welcome Azerbaijani champions Sabah to Old Trafford.
The European opener represents a major milestone for Carrick, who is currently embarking on his first full campaign as Manchester United’s permanent manager. The former midfielder secured the managerial position on a full-time basis after successfully guiding the team to a third-place finish in the Premier League during an impressive interim tenure in the previous season.
Speaking to journalists ahead of Thursday's encounter, Carrick spoke passionately about the tournament's unique atmosphere, calling the Champions League a truly magical stage where every elite professional aims to be. He reflected that being absent from the competition makes clubs understand its true value, noting that those who qualify must make the absolute most of every opportunity under the floodlights.
However, the United boss made it abundantly clear that his side are not re-entering the competition merely to enjoy the prestige or soak up the occasion. Carrick maintained that the objective is to conduct serious business and advance as far into the tournament as possible, challenging his players to push themselves against the absolute best sides on the continent.
Manchester United, who have lifted the European Cup three times in their storied history, head into the tournament seeking to improve upon an underwhelming recent record on the continental stage. In two of their previous three appearances in the Champions League, the club suffered disappointing exits during the group stage, and they have not managed to progress past the round of 16 since 2019.
United's return to elite European action also coincides with a sluggish start to their domestic campaign. Carrick’s side have collected just four points from their opening matches in the Premier League, experiencing difficulties in fixtures against Hull City, Ipswich Town, and Everton, which has placed their early-season form under scrutiny.
Nevertheless, United’s most convincing displays during Carrick’s tenure have consistently arrived when facing high-calibre opponents. In the second half of the previous season, the Red Devils demonstrated their capability against elite opposition by securing high-profile victories against traditional rivals Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea.
Addressing the challenge ahead, Carrick reiterated his strong belief in the team's ability to achieve significant results in Europe this season. While he acknowledged that participating in the continent’s premier competition will be a fresh experience for some members of the squad, he pointed out that most of the players have accumulated substantial European experience across various competitions throughout their careers.
The manager’s positive outlook comes despite a summer transfer window in which Manchester United operated with notable restraint compared to several of their domestic rivals. While competing Premier League clubs engaged in record-setting expenditure across multiple positions, United restricted their transfer activity primarily to bolstering their midfield options.
The return to continental football also brings a drastic transformation in the team’s fixture density. Last season, United benefited from a significantly lighter schedule, participating in only 40 matches across all competitions—the lowest total number of fixtures played by the club in a single season since the 1914-15 campaign.
Carrick stressed that the squad must now adapt quickly and embrace the demanding physical reality of competing on multiple fronts. With matches scheduled across Thursdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays, the manager noted that navigating the relentless calendar requires careful squad rotation and complete trust in every player’s ability to perform when called upon.
Regarding selection for Thursday's clash, forward Benjamin Sesko is pushing strongly for his first start of the campaign. The attacker made a decisive impression over the weekend, coming off the substitutes' bench to score in United’s 2-2 league draw away at Everton to put himself firmly in contention for a starting role.
United’s defensive department is also on the verge of receiving a major reinforcement, with Carrick confirming that centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is nearing a return to competitive action. The Dutch defender has spent nearly an entire year on the sidelines recovering from a persistent back injury, and his impending availability provides valuable depth for the busy schedule ahead.
As the Old Trafford faithful prepare to welcome European football back to Manchester on Thursday, Carrick will look to channel his side’s proven big-game capability to secure a vital opening victory and lay the foundation for a deep run in the tournament.
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