Manchester United XI vs Sabah: Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Champions League today

Man United mark their return to the Champions League at Old Trafford tonight. After a season without European football and a Europa League campaign the year prior, this will be United's first experience of the competition in its new format and they have been handed a rather straightforward assignment in their opening game of the league phase.It has been a mixed start to the season for Michael Carrick’s side, picking up four points from a possible nine in the Premier League and they could have one eye on Sunday's huge Manchester derby with rotation likely. Marcus Rashford is on the bench after recovering from a knock that forced him off in the 2-2 draw against Everton, while Luke Shaw has been left out of the matchday squad.Sabah, meanwhile, are making their Champions League debut. The Azerbaijan club's journey began in the first qualifying round back in July and now they will hope to cause one of the biggest shocks in European football history. Follow Manchester United vs Sabah LIVE below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog.Man United vs Sabah latest newsKICK-OFF!Manchester United vs Sabah LIVEUEFA pay tribute to the victims of the devastating flash floods that struck Nepal.A moment of silence was held, with a banner reading "You are not alone Nepal" displayed ahead of kick-off.Manchester United vs Sabah LIVEFor the first time since December 2023, the Champions League anthem rings around Old Trafford.GettyHERE WE GO!The teams are out at Old Trafford.When JJ Gabriel can make Champions League debutJJ Gabriel marked his UEFA Youth League debut with a hat-trick for Manchester United against Sabah, further underlining his reputation as one of brightest talents in English football.Gabriel played the full 90 minutes at the Progress With Unity Stadium on Thursday afternoon, opening his account on the stroke of half-time before completing his treble with two goals in quick succession late on.That said, a potential Champions League debut may have to wait until 2027 at the earliest. This is because the only way for a 15-year-old to play in the Champions League is to be named in a club's 25-man A list of players.GettyManchester United handed new boostChelsea striker Joao Pedro has been handed a recall to the Brazil squad after his shock World Cup snub, but there is no place for Matheus Cunha in an apparent boost to Manchester United.Joao Pedro was arguably the biggest omission made by Selecao head coach Carlo Ancelotti for the tournament in North America earlier this summer, where his side were stunned by Erling Haaland and Norway in the last 16.Joao Pedro’s return was the biggest headline as Ancelotti named a 26-man squad for those matches, with the 24-year-old having started the new season well and scored twice already as part of a potent Chelsea attack alongside Cole Palmer and club-record signing Morgan Rogers.However, there has been surprise over the omission of fellow attacker Cunha, who went to the World Cup - scoring three times during the group stage - and has started all three of Manchester United’s Premier League games so far this term.Cunha’s Manchester United team-mate Andrey Santos is recalled after missing the World Cup and despite only starting once for his new club so far after a £50million summer switch from Chelsea.GettyKick-off approaching in Manchester15 minutes to go until kick-off at Old Trafford.PAGettyGettyGettyChampions League: Sabah league phase fixtures10/09 - Manchester United (a)20/10 - Borussia Dortmund (h)AFP/GettyChampions League: Manchester United league phase fixtures13/10 - Atletico Madrid (a)20/01 - Bayern Munich (h)Manchester United via Getty ImagWhy Luke Shaw is missing from Manchester United squad todayLuke Shaw is not involved for Manchester United against Sabah FK tonight, with the left-back’s fitness being managed.Shaw emerged as a doubt for United’s first league phase fixture in this season’s Champions League after missing training on Wednesday morning.Just over an hour before kick-off at Old Trafford, it was announced that the 31-year-old had been left out of the matchday squad for the showdown with competition debutants Sabah.It is not known yet whether Shaw will be available for Man United’s showdown against rivals Manchester City at the weekend, but Carrick is hopeful.Getty