Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has backed his squad to go as far as possible and compete with Europe’s elite on their return to the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United host Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford, ending a 1,003-day absence from the competition.
In a chat with the club’s website, Carrick insists his team is not back in Europe’s premier club tournament just to make up the numbers.
Having beaten top-tier rivals during his tenure, Carrick feels the squad has the strength and capability to push deep into the knockout stages.
Carrick noted that opening the league phase on a Thursday is less than ideal with a high-stakes Premier League derby against Manchester City looming on Sunday.
The manager plans to utilize his squad depth to navigate the heavy scheduling of Thursday-Sunday-Wednesday matches.
“It’s a magical competition. It’s where we all want to be. 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.
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“I think we’ve all seen some special, special nights and felt some special things in this competition over the years. It’s the best competition to challenge yourself and to push against the best.
“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.
“We play Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday and it’s what we’re here for. It’s about managing the group and having trust in everyone able to play,” he said.
