Manchester United vs Manchester City: Community Shield Preview

The annual curtain-raiser of English football takes place on Saturday afternoon as arch-rivals Manchester United and Manchester City compete in the 102nd Community Shield at Wembley Stadium. Both teams last met in May during the FA Cup final, with the red half of Manchester coming out on top that day. Meanwhile, City got their hands on a fourth successive Premier League title last season.

It has been eleven weeks since the end of the 2023/24 season and it all ended on a high for the Red Devils, beating favourites City 2-1 in the showpiece final to win the competition for the 13th time in our history. Plus, we denied our rivals the chance to complete a domestic double.

Last season’s league campaign was disappointing as United finished 8th; their lowest place in the competition’s history. We did manage to secure Europa League qualification from winning the FA Cup. It was an inspired performance at Wembley that defied the odds to secure silverware for the second successive season under Erik Ten Hag, who had been under intense scrutiny for the whole season from results and performances. Speculation was rife up until and after the FA Cup final win about his position at the club, he has now extended his contract until 2026.

United are under a new era through the guidance of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos who have started to make many changes around the club and being active in the summer transfer window. Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro have arrived though the latter is out for the first three months of the season after sustaining an injury during preseason.

It has been a mixed preseason for the Red Devils with two wins and three defeats from their five games. We ended the tour in the United States with a 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool. Ten Hag and his coaches will have one eye on the opening Premier League game at Fulham next Friday. However, the focus will be on Saturday afternoon encounter with City as we look to win the Community Shield for a record 22nd time.

It will be our 31st appearance in this event and our first since 2016 when under manager Jose Mourinho. We have won 21 of 30 previous Community Shields including a 3-2 win against City back 2011.

Manchester United Team News

For United, Leny Yoro (foot), Rasmus Hojlund (hamstring) and Tyrell Malacia (knee) will not feature as they look to recover from their respective injuries. Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw remain doubtful for the game but all will be assessed beforehand to see if they can play.

Jonny Evans was taken ill during our final pre-season friendly against Liverpool but should recover in time for Saturday’s showpiece event. He may link up in the centre of the defence alongside Lisandro Martinez. With Luke Shaw’s potential absence, it could give the opportunity to 17-year-old Harry Amass to secure the left-back position.

New signing Joshua Zirkzee has been in training this week and could make his debut at the weekend. It is whether Ten Hag decides to start the Dutch international or deploy Jadon Sancho as the centre forward.

Manchester United Possible Lineup

Onana;

Dalot, Evans, Martinez, Amass;

Casemiro, Mainoo;

Amad, Fernandes, Rashford;

Zirkzee

Opposition Preview

It would always be one step too far for Manchester City to repeat the treble of 2023 last season. However, they did make history by becoming the first side to win four consecutive Premier League titles. Arsenal pushed City in the race for the title taking it to the final day of the season. The reigning champions prevailed on the day as they got 91 points and only lost three times across the Premier League season. A seventh title in eight seasons is on the cards in what could prove to be Pep Guardiola’s final season at the Etihad.

However, Guardiola and the rest of the squad will be looking to exact revenge for the FA Cup final defeat at the hands of United on Saturday afternoon. City finished their preseason tour with a 4-2 win over Chelsea who they will face in their opening Premier League game. Erling Haaland was in form again as he hit a hat-trick after failing to score in the previous games against Celtic, AC Milan and Barcelona.

It is hard to read too much into their preseason campaign as several players were missing but who could make their return at the weekend. Guardiola and City will be seeking not to lose their fourth consecutive Community Shield.

Manchester City Team News

Goalkeeper Ederson is a slight doubt after he missed the friendly against Chelsea due to minor niggles. It could see Stefan Ortega start between the sticks as he did in the FA Cup final. Left-back Josh Wilson-Esbrand suffered a hamstring injury in the same game so will not feature.

Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones have yet to report back to training since Euro 2024 and will not be ready in time to play any part against United. Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Matheus Nunes and new signing Savio are all expected to be in the match-day squad. Pep Guardiola could hand places to youngsters James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly.

Form Guide

Manchester United (all competitions): LLLLW

Manchester City form (all competitions): LWDWL

Prediction

Both managers may take a cautious approach for this Manchester derby so no more injuries occur ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. United can take heart and inspiration from their performance in the FA Cup final. It would be good to get one over our rivals as we look to begin the season on the right foot.

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City