Manchester United will be looking to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start when they host Azerbaijani side Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday night

Manchester United are preparing to face Sabah in the Champions League, with both teams expected to have some players unavailable for selection. The Red Devils will host the Azerbaijan-based club at Old Trafford on Thursday evening as their league phase campaign officially gets underway.

Michael Carrick has overseen three matches since taking permanent charge of United earlier in the year, and has already been forced to deal with several injuries within his squad.

Unfortunately for United, that will continue on Thursday night when they take on Sabah, with several players expected to miss the fixture.

United go into the game having been forced to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw with Everton over the weekend in the Premier League, a match where several players were on the sidelines through injury.

Carrick oversaw training at United on Wednesday afternoon, which gave plenty of hints regarding the players the Red Devils boss could call upon for the fixture.

Marcus Rashford was withdrawn with a potential injury concern during the draw with Everton at the weekend, but played a full part in the latest training session. The England international is now expected to be available for United's showdown with Sabah.

There was, however, still no sight of Amad, who continues his recovery from a muscle injury sustained in training before the season got underway.

United were also without Matthijs de Ligt in the session, with the Red Devils confirming the centre-back was taking a rest day. Carrick gave an update on De Ligt's recovery and explained why he remains confident about the defender's return to full fitness.

The United boss told reporters on Wednesday: "We have to see. It's positive. He's trained really well but we're still managing it, when you're out for such a long period of time, you get to the final stages, pushing and pushing, and you've got to manage that last stage.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

"It's important to get that balance right to take the next step. But he's on a good track, in a good place and it's great to have him back around us. Hopefully, some time soon."

Luke Shaw was also absent from the training session, with the club confirming the left-back had been given a rest day alongside De Ligt on Wednesday.

Carrick said: "Yeah, we just gave him an extra recovery day today, Luke. So, obviously, we'll see tomorrow how he is but it's not an ongoing thing or planning like that.

"Off the back of the game the other day, as normal, each individual has different little things we manage and Luke was one of them today."

Whether Shaw will be fit enough to feature against Sabah remains uncertain, while De Ligt — sidelined since November last year with a back problem — will not be rushed back into action. Carlos Baleba and Manuel Ugarte were also missing from the session, with the former continuing his recovery from an ankle problem sustained during pre-season while on duty with Brighton.

Ugarte continues to be a long-term casualty for United as he recuperates from a knee injury sustained while on international duty with Uruguay at the World Cup.

For Sabah, the away side will be without at least one player, with Khayal Aliyev currently ruled out due to a hamstring problem.