Manchester United will look to kick off their 2026-27 Champions League group stage with a victory as they host Azerbaijani team Sabah on Thursday night. This marks United's return to the Champions League for the first time in three seasons, while it will be Sabah's inaugural appearance at this level of European competition. Last season, Manchester United missed out on European football for the first time since the 2014-15 season. This upcoming campaign will be their 26th in the Champions League, setting an English record. In the 2023-24 season, United finished fourth in a group that featured Bayern Munich, Copenhagen, and Galatasaray. Head coach Michael Carrick faces pressure to achieve a successful Champions League run, although winning the title this season seems unlikely. The Red Devils are coming off a 2-2 draw against Everton on Sunday, having garnered four points from their first three Premier League fixtures, placing them 11th in the standings, five points behind leaders Manchester City. Manchester United has lifted the European Cup three times, first in 1968, then in 1999 and 2008. Their last appearance in the knockout stage was in the 2021-22 season, where they were eliminated by Atletico Madrid in the round of 16. In this season's Champions League group stage, United will also face Atletico Madrid, Como, Roma, Sporting Lisbon, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, and Villarreal. On the other hand, Sabah has been active in the Champions League since early July, having played eight matches in the competition this season. They have secured their place at this stage by defeating TNS, KuPS, Aarhus, and Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the qualifying rounds, and they come into this match following a commanding 5-0 victory over Zira in their league.