Michael Carrick insists Manchester United are not in the Champions League merely to enjoy the occasion, emphasizing their ambition to compete against Europe's best. United face Sabah FK on Thursday, their first UCL tie in over 1,000 days, with Carrick confident in his squad's ability to make an impact.

Marcus Rashford is expected to be available after training normally, while Luke Shaw remains a doubt due to workload management. Carrick addressed the tight schedule ahead of the Manchester derby, noting City have extra rest but stressing his team will adapt to the fixtures.

The head coach dismissed concerns about the fixture congestion, stating the team must deal with the cards dealt. United's focus remains on progressing far in the competition, with Carrick highlighting their capability to challenge any opponent on their day.