Michael Carrick is excited to lead Manchester United on their return to the “magical” Champions League but admitted playing on Thursday night was “not ideal” with the derby on Sunday. United welcome Sabah to Old Trafford after a two-year Champions League absence. The Azerbaijani club are making their debut among Europe’s elite, having been in existence for less than a decade.
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. I think we’ve all seen some special, special nights and felt some special things in this competition over the years. 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. Be nice some day to feel that again.” United have made a mixed start to their Premier League campaign, picking up four points from three games, and this will be a testing period for a club that played just 40 games last season. If United reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, they will not have a free midweek until mid-January.
Manchester City visit Old Trafford on Sunday and will have an extra two days to recover from their game at Porto on Tuesday. We’re not in control of that. We’ve got to deal with the cards that we’re dealt and that’s what it is, so we’ll make the most of it.” United’s only senior left-back, Luke Shaw, did not train on Wednesday after being given a further day of rest.
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