The 22-year-old former Kaizer Chief defender could feature against the English giants in what would be a huge moment in his young career.
The match marks the opening matchday of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase.
KAIZER CHIEFS SON ADEN MCCARTHY READY FOR OLD TRAFFORD
McCarthy came through the Amakhosi academy before making his breakthrough in the Betway Premiership.
His performances earned him a move to Azerbaijan, with Sabah FK completing his signing from Naturena in June 2026.
Since arriving at Sabah FK, McCarthy has been gradually introduced to the first team as the club pushed through the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds.
The centre-back has made 31 minutes of appearances this season. He came off the bench in important qualifying matches against The New Saints and Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Sabah FK eventually secured a place in the Champions League league phase. It set up the dream trip to England and a meeting with Manchester United at the iconic Old Trafford.
McCarthy was included in the travelling squad that flew to England earlier this week.
LIVING THE DREAM
McCarthy and his Sabah FK teammates completed their final preparations on Wednesday night.
They trained at Old Trafford ahead of the highly anticipated clash.
For the former Kaizer Chiefs academy player, simply being part of the occasion represents another major step in his European journey.
Whether he gets onto the pitch remains to be seen, but McCarthy will be hoping to make history by featuring against Manchester United at the Theatre of Dreams.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 South African time and will be broadcast live on SuperSport 203.
HOW MANY SOUTH AFRICANS HAVE PLAYED IN THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
Benni McCarthy is the only South African to win the UEFA Champions League, lifting the trophy with FC Porto in 2004. He is also the country’s leading scorer with nine goals in 28 appearances for Ajax Amsterdam and FC Porto.
Steven Pienaar holds the South African appearance record with 31 matches for Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur.
Quinton Fortune made 27 appearances and scored two goals for Manchester United. Lucas Radebe captained Leeds United to the 2000/01 semi-finals. Thulani Serero made 11 appearances for Ajax Amsterdam. He also scored a winner against FC Barcelona in 2013.
Percy Tau played for Club Brugge in 2019/20 and assisted against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Other South Africans to feature include Hans Vonk (Ajax Amsterdam/Heerenveen), Jacob Lekgetho (Lokomotiv Moscow), George Lekgetho (Lokomotiv Moscow), Georgios Koumantarakis (FC Basel), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Dino Ndlovu (QarabaÄŸ FK), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Bryce Moon (Panathinaikos), Bennet Mnguni (Lokomotiv Moscow), Bevan Fransman (Hapoel Tel Aviv) and Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge).
