RismadarVoice Reporters
September 9, 2026
Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick, believes his side has the quality and depth required to compete with Europe’s top clubs and make a strong run in the Champions League.
United return to Europe’s premier club competition for the first time in three years after Carrick guided the club to a third-place finish in the Premier League during his interim spell last season.
The Red Devils begin their league-phase campaign on Thursday when they host Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, Carrick described the Champions League as a competition every player and club wants to be part of.
“It’s a magical competition. It’s where we all want to be. When you’re out of it, you realise how special it is, and when you’re in it, you want to make the most of it,” he said.
Carrick said United were not returning to the competition merely to participate but were determined to make a meaningful impact.
“We’re delighted to be here, but we’re not here to just enjoy the occasion. We’re here to do business and go as far as we possibly can,” the manager said.
United’s recent record in the Champions League has been inconsistent. The club exited at the group stage in two of its last three appearances and has not progressed beyond the last 16 since 2019.
The club has also made a modest start to the current Premier League campaign, collecting four points from matches against Hull, Ipswich and Everton.
However, Carrick can draw encouragement from United’s performances against some of the league’s strongest sides during the second half of last season, when they defeated Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
“I think we’re capable of doing some really good things in this competition and going further down the line in this competition,” Carrick said.
He, however, cautioned against placing excessive expectations on the team, noting that some players would be experiencing the Champions League in a new capacity.
“Certainly not getting ahead of ourselves because some part of it is a new experience for some of the players,” he said.
Carrick added that the squad’s experience of European football in other competitions would help United cope with the demands of the Champions League.
“The boys are used to playing European football for the most part in different competitions, and we’ll take that forward, and we’ve got a squad that’s strong enough to compete,” he said.
United will also have to manage a significantly heavier schedule, having benefited from playing just 40 matches last season — their lowest total since the 1914/15 campaign.
With Champions League fixtures added to their domestic commitments, Carrick said squad rotation would be crucial.
“We play Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday and it’s what we’re here for. It’s about managing the group and having trust in everyone able to play,” he said.
Benjamin Sesko is in contention to make his first start of the season after scoring as a substitute in United’s 2-2 draw against Everton on Sunday.
Carrick also confirmed that defender Matthijs de Ligt is approaching a return to action after spending almost a year on the sidelines with a back injury.
