Why are Man Utd playing Sabah on Thursday in the Champions League?

MANCHESTER UNITED get their Champions League campaign underway against Sabah tonight. The Red Devils welcome the Azerbaijani champions, who were only founded in 2017, to Old Trafford. Manchester United are playing in the Champions League on Thursday Credit: Reuters Sabah are making their Champions League debut Credit: Getty Champions League fixtures will be played, as usual, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this season – with Thursdays taken up by the Europa and Conference League. But SunSport can explain why this match is being played on Thursday. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Why are Man Utd playing Sabah on Thursday in the Champions League? Following the expansion of the Champions League to 36 teams and the implementation of the new ‘Swiss model’ format of the group stage, Uefa announced that each European competition will have an exclusive week. This means the Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues each get a midweek where they are the only focus. To avoid congestion and to increase opportunities for broadcasters, Uefa decided to spread Champions League games over three days rather than two. And Man Utd were selected to play on Thursday. Europa League’s exclusive week sees matches take place on Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17. The Conference League’s week sees all matches played on Thursday, December 17 without Europa League taking the shine. Most read in Sport Comment now