Manchester derby’s latest installment takes place on Saturday when Premier League champions Manchester City take on FA Cup winners Manchester United at Wembley in the season’s curtain raiser, the FA Community Shield.
The match will serve as a repeat of the FA Cup final back in May which saw Erik ten Hag’s side claim a 2-1 win over the Cityzens, ending Pep Guardiola and his team’s chance of ending last season with a double.
City last claimed the Shield in 2019, losing in the last three editions of the curtain raiser to Leicester City, Liverpool and Arsenal. United on their part last won the Shield in 2016 when they beat Leicester 2-1 with goals from Jesse Lingard and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Cityzens can avoid losing a fourth straight Community Shield and have a chance to avenge that loss in May 2024, using it to get in shape to start a fourth successive league title defence underway next weekend against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Regardless, Guardiola believes his players will ‘go for it’. “It is important, it’s a final against United but part of it is to try to refine ourselves, step by step after a break for most of the players,” the City manager said ahead of the match.
United manager, like Guardiola, believes his players will give it a good go, even though he admits he would not take unnecessary risks with the players. For instance, new signing Leny Yoro is out for at least three months after going off injured in pre-season against Arsenal.
Team News
Guardiola has a bit of a headache when it comes to squad selection for the match. Julian Alvarez is heading to Atletico Madrid, goalkeeper Ederson is the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia.
Also, England internationals Phil Foden, John Stones and Kyle Walker may not back from holiday yet following their run to the European Championship final, same with Rodri who ended up on the winning side of that match with Spain.
United defenders Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are major doubts for the game, as is Lisandro Martinez who just resumed training during the week. Danish striker Rasmund Hojlund is out for six weeks too.
Expected Line-up
Man. City
Ortega; Lewis, Phillips, Dias, Gvardiol; De Bruyne, Kovacic; Bobb, Silva, Grealish; Haaland
Man. United
Onana; Dalot, Casemiro, Evans, Amass; Eriksen, McTominay, Diallo, Mount, Sancho; Rashford
Tips: Double chance for Manchester City to win or draw.
Predictions
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