September 2026 promises to be a significant month for Manchester United, with the club preparing to make its long-awaited return to UEFA Champions League football.
Michael Carrick’s team will also launch its Carabao Cup campaign and play three Premier League matches before the domestic schedule pauses for an extended international break.
Here is what United have ahead of them during a busy few weeks.
September 6 – Everton vs Manchester United
United’s first assignment of the month will take them to Everton, with the match being played at the Toffees’ Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Reds secured victory on their previous visit after Benjamin Sesko scored the decisive goal in a closely contested encounter.
Another demanding match is expected this time around, with Everton having collected four points from their first two league matches.
David Moyes’ squad could also look considerably different by kick-off, with the Merseyside club expected to remain active during the final stages of the summer transfer window.
The match is scheduled for 2 pm BST and will be broadcast live onSky Sports.
September 10 – Manchester United vs Sabah
Four days later, United will finally return to the Champions League stage after an absence of almost three years.
Their first opponents will be Azerbaijan champions Sabah, a relatively young club established in 2017.
Sabah will be making their first appearance in the league phase after successfully navigating qualifying rounds against The New Saints, KuPS, Aarhus and Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
The unusual Thursday fixture comes as a result of the Champions League’s opening round of matches being distributed across three days.
The encounter will also mark United’s 300th appearance in the competition.
September 13 – Manchester United vs Manchester City
Just three days after their European comeback, United will face their biggest domestic rivals when Manchester City travel to Old Trafford.
The Manchester derby is traditionally one of the first fixtures supporters look for when the Premier League schedule is released, and this edition will come with plenty of intrigue.
City have undergone major changes during the summer. Enzo Maresca has taken over from Pep Guardiola as manager, while Rodri’s departure has contributed to a significant reshaping of their midfield.
Kick-off is set for 4:30 pm BST, with both clubs looking to establish early bragging rights in the city.
September 16 – Manchester United vs Brighton
United will then turn their attention to the Carabao Cup when Brighton visit Old Trafford in the third round.
Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton eliminated United from the Emirates FA Cup last season, making this another opportunity for Carrick’s side to settle the score.
The Seagulls have also seen several experienced players leave, including James Milner and Danny Welbeck, both of whom have caused United problems in previous encounters.
Despite those departures, Brighton have started impressively and have scored 11 goals in their last three matches.
The cup tie begins at 8 pm BST and will be televised live on Sky Sports Main Event and ITV1.
September 20 – Fulham vs Manchester United
United’s final fixture before the international break will be a trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham.
The Reds have enjoyed an impressive record at the west London venue, remaining unbeaten there for 17 years.
They will be hoping to extend that run against a Fulham side that has also undergone a managerial change, with Álvaro Arbeloa now in charge after replacing Marco Silva.
The match is scheduled for 4:30 pm BST on Sunday and will bring the club season to a temporary halt for 20 days.
Why the international break will be longer
The September international window will be longer than usual, with three weeks separating United’s match against Fulham from their next Premier League fixture against Tottenham on October 10, 2026.
The extended break is linked to changes made to FIFA’s international calendar.
In recent seasons, the international schedule has featured five separate windows, with two-week interruptions in March, June, September, October and November 2026.
The September and October windows have now been combined. As a result, national teams will play four matches during the extended period instead of two.
For clubs, that means the domestic season will not be interrupted again until later in the autumn.
With Champions League football returning, a domestic cup campaign beginning and a Manchester derby among the fixtures, September 2026 could prove to be one of the most important months of Manchester United’s early season.
