Full Man Utd Injury Breakdown as Red Devils Gear Up for Champions League Clash Against Sabah

Returning to Europe's top club competition for the first time in two seasons, Manchester United kick off their Champions League campaign on Thursday—and manager Michael Carrick believes Luke Shaw will be ready to play despite the left back missing a training session.

Azerbaijani newcomers Sabah provide the opposition for United's opening league phase match, set to be played under the lights at Old Trafford. Carrick will be looking for a convincing win to launch their European campaign on a high note.

That said, the United manager will be without a number of key players through injury, with several first-team regulars in a desperate bid to be fit in time.

Here's the latest injury update for United ahead of the clash with Sabah.

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford put in another positive display during Sunday's dramatic 2–2 stalemate with Everton, though the England international was substituted after 70 minutes due to a physical complaint.

Carrick has since confirmed that Rashford "felt something" before being taken off, but his recent return to training indicates he should be available in some form for the Champions League opener.

Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw's unexpected absence from Wednesday's training session raised concerns over the left back's fitness in a position where United are already stretched. However, Carrick allayed those fears by confirming Shaw had simply been given a rest day.

"We just gave him an extra recovery day today, Luke," said the United boss. "So, obviously we'll see by tomorrow how he is, but it's not an ongoing thing or a plan or anything like that. It was just off the back of the game the other day.

"So, as normal, each individual has kind of different little things that we manage, and Luke was one of them today."

Amad Diallo

Amad Diallo has yet to make an appearance for United this season after picking up an ankle injury on the eve of the campaign. The Ivorian winger will miss the home fixture against Sabah, with no confirmed return date set at this stage.

Carrick has previously expressed hope that Amad could return before the September international break, though United will be cautious about his comeback to prevent any immediate recurrence.

Carlos Baleba

Fans eager to see summer recruit Carlos Baleba in action will have to wait longer, as the midfielder arrived at Manchester carrying an ankle injury sustained during his time at former club Brighton & Hove Albion.

Baleba has missed the entire season so far, but similarly to Amad, Carrick has suggested a possible return ahead of the upcoming international break, which begins on Sept. 21.

Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt has not featured for United in nearly 10 months. His last outing came in the 2–1 win at Crystal Palace on Nov. 30 last season, with his recovery from a back problem plagued by repeated setbacks and delays.

The Dutch centre-back has resumed training with the squad, though he was absent from Wednesday's session. A return before the international break looks unlikely, with United set to manage his reintroduction carefully.

Manuel Ugarte

Manuel Ugarte faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines and is not expected to return to action this calendar year after sustaining a knee ligament injury while representing Uruguay at the World Cup.

While the midfielder should return before the season concludes, no realistic timeline for his comeback can be set at this point.

Tom Heaton

Third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton has been sidelined since picking up a hamstring injury during the preseason fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.

No updates on his condition have been provided since.