Manchester United vs Sabah FK Predictions

• Sabah FK lost at Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Aarhus during qualifying
• Manchester United have conceded six goals in three games
• United have gone seven games without a clean sheet at Old Trafford

Sabah make UCL debut at Old Trafford

Manchester United are back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2023/24 season and they open their European campaign on Thursday against a Sabah FK outfit who are making their debut in the competition.

Sabah were formed just nine years ago and they had to come through four qualifying ties to reach the league phase.

Unsurprisingly, United are huge favourites against their Azerbaijani opponents, who are as high as 28/1 to win at Old Trafford, but one angle could be backing the visitors to strike in defeat.

United have endured a difficult start to the season in Michael Carrick’s first full campaign in charge. The Red Devils have four points on the board after three games and have conceded six goals in total.

United have won their only home game, a 5-2 success against Ipswich, and have been strong at this venue for some time with nine wins in their last 10 competitive home games. However, they have also gone seven games without a home shut out and Sabah will be desperate to get on the scoresheet in what is by some distance the biggest game in their short history.

Sabah scored in defeats to Hapoel Be’er Sheve and Aarhus during qualifying and have scored in each of their last 14 competitive games stretching back into last season, so a consolation effort for the visitors has a chance.

Ultimately, United could win by a huge margin and a 5-1 win for the hosts seems a reasonable prediction. Carrick’s side put five past Ipswich and also hit five against Rosenborg in pre-season.

Marcus Rashford is yet to get off the mark since his return to Old Trafford but Thursday’s game offers a chance to end that run. Rashford had a better record in the Champions League than he did domestically while on loan at Barcelona last season as he hit five goals in 11 European games, and he is among a number of United players who could strike against Sabah.

Manchester United vs Sabah Baku Bet Builder Tips

• Bruno Fernandes to assist: Bruno Fernandes had 21 Premier League assists last season. He has one in three games this term
• Ivan Lepinjica to be shown a card: Sabah’s Ivan Lepinjica was booked twice during Champions League qualifying
• Joy-Lance Mickels to have 1+ shots on target: Joy-Lance Mickels scored four goals for Sabah during qualifying and has four goals in three games in the Azerbaijani top flight. He can at least test the keeper at Old Trafford