English football’s annual prelude takes place on Saturday afternoon under the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium, with rivals Manchester United and City slugging it out for the 102nd Community Shield.
Last season, Erik ten Hag’s team won the FA Cup, while Pep Guardiola’s team celebrated winning the Premier League for the fourth time in a row.
Nearly eleven weeks have gone since Man United won the FA Cup for the 13th time, depriving the Citizens of a domestic double, and ending the 2023–24 season on a high note by defeating hot favourites Man City 2-1 in the championship game.
Few anticipated the Red Devils defeating their fierce rivals after a disappointing Premier League season that saw them finish in eighth place—their lowest-ever finish—but an inspiring effort eventually brought home the hardware for the second straight season under manager Erik ten Hag, who signed a new contract that will keep him in the position until 2026 after enduring a protracted period of intense scrutiny and speculative speculation about his future.
Because of their FA Cup victory, Man United qualified for the Europa League the following season. Under the direction of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, the team has entered a new phase and has been active in the summer transfer window, bringing back memories of its heyday at Old Trafford by signing Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee and expecting more marquee additions.
The Red Devils’ five summertime friendlies yielded two victories and three losses, making for a mediocre preseason performance overall. They most recently wrapped up their US trip with a 3-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday.
As Ten Hag and company prepare to play their first Premier League match of the new campaign at home against Fulham on August 16, Man United must turn their focus to their matchup with Man City this weekend in order to win the Community Shield for a record-tying 22nd time.
The main match on Saturday will be Man United’s 31st Community Shield appearance and their first since 2016 under previous manager Jose Mourinho. In their thirty prior final appearances, the Red Devils have won twenty-one, including a 3-2 victory over Man City in 2011.
Manchester City found it too difficult to repeat the incredible 2023 Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League treble, but they still made history by being the first English top flight team to win four straight trophies.
In a thrilling championship battle that went to the very end, Arsenal challenged the Citizens every step of the way. However, the defending champions emerged victorious, amassing 91 points and dropping just three games in an incredible 38-game campaign to secure their position atop the English football pyramid.
In what may turn out to be Pep Guardiola’s ninth and final season as manager of the team, they have their sights set on a seventh Premier League title in eight years. But first, they want retribution against Man United, who they hope to win the Community Shield from on Saturday.
Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick to help Man City secure their first friendly victory after the team had lost their previous games against Celtic, AC Milan, and Barcelona. On August 3, Man City wrapped up their preseason tour of the United States with a 4-2 victory over Chelsea, who happen to be their opponents on the first weekend of the new Premier League season.
The absence of several first-team players has made it difficult to read too much into Man City’s preseason. However, some of those players may make a welcome return on Saturday as Guardiola’s team looks to avoid losing English football’s annual curtain-raiser for a record fourth year; Man United was the last team to lose four consecutive Community Shield finals between 1998 and 2001.
With left-back Josh Wilson-Esbrand anticipated to miss out after leaving with a hamstring injury against the Blues, Man City custodian Ederson has surfaced as a doubt after missing the friendly victory over Chelsea owing to some ‘niggles’. Stefan Ortega could start in goal.
The players that finished last in the Euro 2024 competition—Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, and John Stones—have not returned to first team practice and do not appear to be ready to play against Manchester United.
Promising youngsters James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly may also be included in the matchday squad. However, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Matheus Nunes, and summer signing Savio have all participated in training this week and are anticipated to be included.
Leny Yoro (foot), Rasmus Hojlund (hamstring), and Tyrell Malacia (knee) are out for Man United due to injury. Meanwhile, defensive quintet Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Luke Shaw are all doubtful and will be evaluated before to kickoff, according to Ten Hag.
Illness forced Jonny Evans to leave the friendly loss to Liverpool, but he should be well enough to play on Saturday, when he might partner Lisandro Martinez in central defence. Shaw’s probable absence, however, might ensure that 17-year-old talent Harry Amass keeps his place at left back.
Summertime acquisition Joshua Zirkzee has participated in training this week and may make his Manchester United debut; however, it is unclear if he will start ahead of Jadon Sancho, who has started the last two friendlies in the centre of attack role.
Manchester City’s potential starting lineup is as follows: Ortega; Bobb, Bernardo, Grealish; Haaland; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, De Bruyne
Onana; Dalot, Evans, Martinez, Amass; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee might be Manchester United’s starting lineup.
