The Community Shield match between Manchester United and Manchester City, which kicks off today at 3 p.m., is sure to be an exciting matchup between two of the greatest teams in England
This game, which usually kicks off the English football season, pits the FA Cup winners Man United against the Premier League champions Man City.
With their respective clubs’ fierce rivalries and all-star lineups, the game ought to be quite competitive.
Erik Ten Hag’s revival of United contrasts with City’s current domination under Pep Guardiola.
Three months after his team defeated their neighbors in the FA Cup, Ten Hag will be looking to make it back-to-back victories over City at Wembley when he leads United into the Community Shield. Man United’s English midfielder #37 Kobbie Mainoo (c) and Manchester United’s Danish midfielder #14 Christian Eriksen (R) celebrate after winning the English FA Cup.
Which team will win, City or United?
Eleven weeks after their FA Cup final match, Man City and Man United will square off in the Community Shield at Wembley.
The goals of this match are momentum and bragging rights more than taking home a large shield.
This is the fourth occasion in Community Shield history that the game will be a replay of the FA Cup final from the previous season, according to an Opta analyst. Man Utd vs. Aston Villa in 1957, Man Utd vs. Liverpool in 1977, Man Utd vs. Everton in 1985, and Arsenal vs. Chelsea in 2017 are a few such examples.
It’s interesting to note that the FA Cup winner has won the Community Shield seven times in the last eight meetings between the league winners and FA Cup winners. The lone exception occurred in 2018 when Manchester City defeated Chelsea 2-0. After their 2-1 victory over City in May, Erik ten Hag’s team may be encouraged by this.
Manchester City, who is participating in the Community Shield for the fourth year in a row, is a regular. They have lost to Leicester City (2021), Liverpool (2022), and Arsenal (2023), however they haven’t won any of the previous three. Manchester United lost the Shield four years in a row from 1998 to 2001, and that was the only other team.
Manchester United has won 21 titles in this competition’s history, including joint triumphs. Under José Mourinho, they have triumphed in their last four meetings. Their most recent victory came in 2016.
The two Manchester clubs will play each other in the Community Shield three times this season. Both of the prior meetings were won by United, 1-0 in 1956 and 3-2 in 2011.
City defeated United in both of their Premier League encounters last season—3-0 at Old Trafford and 3-1 at the Etihad.
Nevertheless, despite a late goal by Jérémy Doku, United won the FA Cup final with to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Crises in United defense
A number of important players may be sidelined for Manchester United’s Community Shield match versus City, raising defensive concerns.
Erik ten Hag stated that Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Luke Shaw are all “question marks” for the encounter due to fitness concerns.
This might leave Ten Hag without his preferred back four, compounding an already strained injury list that includes Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia.
Jonny Evans and Harry Amass may be called upon, while Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot, who missed the preseason owing to international commitments, might also play important minutes.
Man City: Missing out on action?
In a press conference on Friday before of Saturday’s Community Shield match with Manchester United at Wembley, Pep Guardiola delivered an update on the availability of some key Manchester City players—Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, and John Stones.
All four competed in the Euro 2024 final, with Rodri winning for Spain and Foden, Walker, and Stones finishing second after losing to Italy three years previously in the COVID-delayed Euro 2020 final.
Several senior players, including Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Manuel Akanji, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes, and Joao Cancelo (who was on loan at Barcelona last season), have already resumed training this week. Rodri, Foden, Walker, and Stones, on the other hand, have yet to rejoin the squad after receiving prolonged leave following their summer heroics.
Guardiola ruled the quartet out of the Community Shield encounter against Manchester United by confirming their return to the team the following week. Or is this just a mental trick?
Guardiola clarified, “We try to give them as much rest as possible.” “It’s unfortunate, but we wish we had more time. Rodri and the England team will return the following week. What comes next? To keep the players fresh, training sessions, gradual advancement, and rotation are used.
Goalie Ederson, who has been back in training this week after missing the 4-2 friendly victory over Chelsea owing to some “niggles,” is one player who could make a comeback.
New signings debut?
Three and a half weeks after arriving from Bologna, Joshua Zirkzee will look to make his United debut at the national stadium as Yoro is sidelined due to injury.
As the transfer window closes in August, fans will be closely observing what happens to City’s lone acquisition to date: Savinho.
Stars to watch out for
Reports state that Erling Haaland of City, as well as other youthful players, might engage in crucial on-field clashes against United’s defense, Garnacho’s quickness, Bruno Fernandes’ inventiveness versus City’s midfield, and Antony’s brilliance.
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