There is a huge contrast in European experience when Manchester United host Azerbaijan champions Sabah at Old Trafford on UEFA Champions League Matchday 1, but for South African fans the spotlight will be on former Kaizer Chiefs defender Aden McCarthy.
The 23-year-old centre-back, who came through the ranks at Naturena before moving abroad, is in line to make his UEFA Champions League league-phase debut on one of football's biggest stages when Sabah take on the English giants at the Theatre of Dreams.
While Manchester United are competing in their 26th Champions League campaign, Sabah are appearing in the competition proper for the first time in their history after a remarkable qualifying run.
McCarthy has been part of a Sabah side that has enjoyed a fairytale rise. The Azerbaijani outfit secured their maiden domestic league title in 2025/26 and battled through four qualifying rounds to reach the Champions League league phase.
The Owls eliminated Welsh champions The New Saints, Finnish side KuPS Kuopio, Danish club Aarhus and Israeli outfit Hapoel Beer-Sheva to book their place among Europe's elite, winning six of their eight qualifying matches and keeping four clean sheets along the way.
For McCarthy, the occasion represents a significant milestone in his career. The former Amakhosi defender could walk out at Old Trafford for his first Champions League appearance against a Manchester United side playing their 300th European Cup match.
United return to the Champions League after a two-season absence and will start as overwhelming favourites, having won their last six European home matches while scoring 20 goals in the process.
However, Sabah's historic qualification has already been one of the stories of this season's competition, and South Africans will have a keen interest in seeing whether McCarthy can help the newcomers frustrate the Red Devils on one of football's grandest stages.