At its rip-roaring best, Old Trafford holds a magical aura that cannot be contained, only consumed.

There is a reason it is nicknamed the Theatre of Dreams. It does not make the impossible possible; it makes you believe in it long enough for the impossible to happen.

The ground has played host to some of the continent’s most memorable occasions, from stirring comebacks to statement victories. That sense of occasion will be present again when Sabah arrive in Manchester.

The Azerbaijani champions may be making their first appearance at this level, but their visit adds another entry to Old Trafford’s long European story.

Before attention turns to the latest chapter, it is worth revisiting some of the greatest ones. It is also worth noting that these selections are ones that RoundTable’s Ben Carney has been in attendance for.

European nights at Old Trafford need no introduction. They have a habit of producing games that linger long in the memory.

Manchester United had made a difficult start to their Champions League campaign, but the night quickly became another test of the team’s ability to respond.

Atalanta appeared to have taken control when Mario Pašalić and Merih Demiral put the visitors two goals ahead before half-time. United looked short of answers, but Marcus Rashford gave United a glimmer after the restart. Harry Maguire then levelled the contest, setting up a grandstand finish.

The decisive moment arrived when Cristiano Ronaldo rose highest to head home Luke Shaw’s cross, sending the stadium into delirium.

It was more than simply a 3-2 victory. It was the kind of European night that demonstrated what makes Old Trafford different: belief spreading through the stands, transforming a seemingly lost game into one of the most memorable comebacks of the season.

The two heavyweights already had history of dramatic proportions thanks to a Paul Scholes screamer. “Given straight to Paul Scholes!” were the words wailed by the commentator. The cameras panned to pandemonium among the United faithful.

This particular game, though, took place in 2023. Would it be revenge or repeat?

The Europa League tie in February 2023 carried the weight of a much bigger occasion. Barcelona arrived as La Liga leaders, while United were beginning to flex their muscles under Erik ten Hag. After a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou, the stage was set for a decisive second leg in Manchester.

Robert Lewandowski’s penalty gave Barcelona the lead, but United’s response was immediate. Fred equalised before Antony completed the turnaround, his finish sparking another eruption inside Old Trafford.

The Brazilian’s goal sent United through 4-3 on aggregate and provided another reminder that, regardless of the competition, European football under the lights can still produce nights that live long in the memory.

Then came Lyon. United started swiftly and looked in no mood to relent, pinning Lyon back and playing with real attacking freedom. Manuel Ugarte rounded off a superb team move to open the scoring, before Diogo Dalot doubled the advantage just before half-time. Two-nil up on the night, four-two ahead on aggregate. You think: book your ticket to Bilbao. Surely this is where the story ends.

But football rarely writes straightforward scripts. Lyon emerged after the break with nothing left to lose, and suddenly the comfortable evening began to unravel. Corentin Tolisso pulled one back with 19 minutes remaining before Nicolás Tagliafico levelled just seven minutes later.

What had looked like a procession was now heading for extra time. The noise inside Old Trafford had changed. Expectation had become anxiety, and a tie United appeared to have under control was suddenly alive again.

Then came the madness. Rayan Cherki put Lyon ahead in extra time before Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty seemingly completed the turnaround. United were now two goals down on the night and staring elimination in the face.

Bruno Fernandes pulled one back from the spot before Kobbie Mainoo equalised in the 120th minute. And then, with virtually the final kick, Harry Maguire rose above everyone to head United into the semi-finals.

Five goals in extra time. Nine across the night. A 5-4 victory that had somehow emerged from the jaws of defeat. It was chaotic, ridiculous and utterly unforgettable. This was Old Trafford at its most theatrical, where hope turned to despair before somehow becoming delirium. For those inside the stadium, the final whistle was almost beside the point. It was the match of the modern era that mimicked the shenanigans of ’99 most accurately.