Manchester United are set to play a Champions League fixture on a Thursday, an unusual slot for the competition, which typically takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. According to Tuko, United will face Sabah FK at Old Trafford as they return to the Champions League, with the rare scheduling forming part of an exciting opening week of European football. The report highlights the atypical timing of the match.

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has been asked about 15-year-old JJ Gabriel, sparking discussion over whether the teenager could become the club's youngest ever player. According to Capital FM Sports, Carrick navigated a narrow path between offering high praise for the youngster and managing expectations around his potential first-team involvement. The story, reported from Manchester, England, centres on growing attention surrounding Gabriel's prospects at the Premier League club.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has publicly urged manager Michael Carrick to include either Ayden Heaven or Leny Yoro in the team's backline, citing their pace as a key asset. According to the Daily Post, Ferdinand made the comments following United's 2-2 Premier League draw with Everton on Sunday, a match in which Carrick started Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire in defence ahead of the two younger players.

Jose Mourinho began his return to the Champions League with a victory as Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in their opening match on Tuesday, according to IOL. In the same round of fixtures, Erling Haaland scored twice to lead Manchester City to a win away at Porto. The results marked a successful start to the competition for both clubs, with Mourinho's side edging the Italian champions and City delivering a strong attacking performance in Portugal.

Former winger Joe Cole believes no Premier League side, including champions Arsenal, will win the Champions League this season, according to Daily Post. Many analysts expect Mikel Arteta’s squad to improve after reaching last season’s final, with Arsenal entering the campaign as reigning Premier League champions for the first time since 2004; the excerpt does not name Cole’s chosen winner.

José Mourinho begins his bid to revive Real Madrid's European campaign with a reunion against his former club Inter, according to The Citizen Sport. Ahead of the match, Mourinho played down his role in the club's past successes, saying he was glad his work had some positive impact but insisting the titles belong to Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, the players and the fans.