Five United players ruled out of Champions League opener against Sabah as Shaw faces late fitness test

Michael Carrick will be without at least five Manchester United players for their Champions League group-stage opener against Sabah FK on September 10, with Luke Shaw’s availability also uncertain after the left-back was given an extra rest day and missed training.

Manuel Ugarte is the most significant long-term absentee, ruled out until at least spring after suffering a serious knee injury during the World Cup. Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined too, though Carrick offered cautious optimism about the Dutch defender’s progress. “We’re still managing him, he’s trained well and he’s pushing and pushing, but we’ve got to manage that last stage,” Carrick said. “He’s in a good place and it’s great to have him back. Hopefully he will return soon.”

Tom Heaton and Amad are both expected to miss the fixture with muscular injuries, with no clear timeline on either player’s return. Carlos Baleba, who joined from Brighton and Hove Albion for £70m in the summer, is also still sidelined with the ankle injury he picked up in pre-season.

Shaw’s situation is less clear-cut. Carrick confirmed the England international’s absence from training was a planned rest day rather than a fresh concern, but acknowledged a decision on his involvement will be made closer to kick-off — with the Manchester derby against City also on the horizon this weekend. “We just gave him an extra recovery day so we’ll see by tomorrow how he is, but it’s not an ongoing thing or a plan,” Carrick said. “As normal, each individual has different things that we manage.”

Mason Mount, another player who has struggled with injuries since joining United, was an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw at Everton and could be in contention for a place in the squad against Sabah, though his involvement is not confirmed.

The match marks Carrick’s first Champions League fixture as permanent United manager — a milestone that comes five years after he guided the club to the round of 16 by overseeing a 2-0 win over Villarreal in Spain.