Your team is back in the Champions League
Manchester United host Sabah FK at Old Trafford tonight in the league phase opener. Kickoff is 21:00. It is United's first Champions League match since the 2023-24 season, and Sabah's first ever in the competition (1). Marcus Rashford plays his first Champions League game for United since November 2023 (1).
At least five players miss the Sabah match
United's European return comes without at least five players. The latest Luke Shaw update confirms he is out, joining the list of absentees (2). You go into tonight thin.
2–2 at Everton, reviewed
United drew 2–2 at Everton on Sunday. A podcast panel covers the result, the transfer window, the Champions League return, and the Manchester Derby ahead (3).
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Giggs flagged Mbappe in 2015
Ryan Giggs says he recommended Kylian Mbappe to United back in 2015 (4). "We got to go to a few youth games [where he played] with Monaco. We saw him and went 'Wow', he looked exceptional, obviously" (4). Giggs also says he tipped Rayan Cherki and William Saliba (4).
Scouts watched two Club Brugge players
United sent representatives to Belgium this week to watch Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi and left-back Joaquin Seys (5). Club Brugge lost 2–3 to Aston Villa in that Champions League game (5). Tottenham were there too (5).
Bruno on the Ballon d'Or shortlist
Bruno Fernandes is on the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or (6). He set a record with 21 Premier League assists in 2025-26 (6). The award is based on individual performance, team achievements, and class with fair play (6).
Martinez must stay fit for a new deal
Lisandro Martinez has to prove his fitness before United offer a new contract (7). The club plans to trigger a one-year extension clause, but a longer deal depends on him staying injury-free and holding his starting spot (7).
Left-back hunt shelved until summer 2027
United have pushed their search for a left-back to summer 2027 (8). No January signing is expected. Luke Shaw remains first choice, with Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui as cover (8).
Chelsea lead the race for Ty Livesey
Chelsea are pushing to beat United and Everton to 15-year-old Blackburn Rovers talent Ty Livesey (9). He scored 100 points in the Canadian classification at his age level last season (9).
Fan reactions
Fans are in good spirits ahead of the Champions League return. Lewis Hall's new Newcastle deal, with no release clause, has supporters expecting United to revisit that interest down the line, and some are already keeping tabs on Casemiro's loan form with a goal for Inter Miami. There is also pride in academy midfielder Jaume Camacho Sidos, who posted a perfect nine Grade 9s in his GCSEs.
