Despite what manager Michael Carrick has said in press conferences, Manchester United got a massive break from the schedule makers, both domestically and in Europe. Their first two Premier League fixtures were against newly promoted sides and their first Champions League contest is at home to a side that very few people have even heard of, in Sabah FK. That statement might sound a bit raw, but it is true. And since this contest, at least on paper, falls on the easier side of things, it’s a chance for Carrick to do some squad rotation. Leny Yoro, Patrick Dorgu, Benjamin Sesko, Ayden Heaven and maybe even Noussair Mazraoui could all get rare starting assignments here.
UCL League Phase
Manchester United vs Sabah
Kickoff: Thursday Sept 10, 8pm, Old Trafford, Stretford, UK
Manchester United Preview Material: Team News Predicted XI
Result Probability, According to Google: Man United wins 88% Draw 8% Sabah wins 4%
Typically, a UCL match isn’t a time to do squad rotation, but with the opponent being Sabah, we think it’s safe to do so. Sesko, who scored in the 2-2 draw against Everton, has not started, all season long.
Heaven and Dorgu haven’t started since opening day, and that result was a 2-0 loss to Hull City, so it’s easy to understand why they have been relegated to bench roles ever since.
Manchester United Predicted Starting XI vs Sabah
Senne Lammens; Diogo Dalot, Ayden Heaven, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui; Kobbie Mainoo, Andrey Santos; Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Patrick Dorgu; Benjamin Sesko
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.