The new Premier League season is nearly upon us but before the division gets up and running next week, the Community Shield takes precedence.
Fierce rivals Manchester City and Manchester United will contest the fixture following the completion of their respective pre-season campaigns.
City lost last season’s Community Shield match to Arsenal on penalties and will be eager to put things right this time around to add another trophy to Pep Guardiola’s CV.
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Manchester United vs Manchester City
Saturday, August 10, 3pm
Wembley Stadium, London, England
Live on ITV1
Manchester United vs Manchester City Preview
The two teams go into the fixture on the back of contrasting results.
City finished their pre-season campaign with a 4-2 victory over Chelsea, a match in which star striker Erling Haaland bagged a hat-trick.
United’s final match of their USA tour saw them lose 3-0 to rivals Liverpool and Erik ten Hag will be desperate for his side to bounce back at Wembley.
However, the Dutch manager will be without the services of summer signing Leny Yoro and key striker Rasmus Hojlund after they suffered injuries during the pre-season campaign.
Premier League champions City should really fancy their chances of victory, although the memories of last season’s FA Cup final may still be lingering.
United beat their rivals 2-1 thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Garnacho has returned to training after representing Argentina at the Copa America and he may feature but Mainoo’s involvement could be very limited following his exploits with England at Euro 2024, for which he earned a well-deserved break and only recently arrived back at Carrington alongside Luke Shaw.
Argentine star Lisandro Martinez may also be a doubt as he was also given an extended break due to his greater participation at the Copa America.
With that in mind, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, John Stones and Rodri are all expected to miss out for City after starting in last month’s Euro 2024 final, while Julian Alvarez is on the verge of a move to Atletico Madrid – so he will almost certainly not be involved either.
As such, we could see two slightly makeshift sides take to the field at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.
It could make it a far more entertaining spectacle, with fringe players and youngsters perhaps given the chance to show off their skills and prove to the managers that they deserve a starting role for the first game of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Odds
*Odds are subject to change
Unsurprisingly, serial trophy lifters City are the big favourites to win this year’s Community Shield at 1.53. United are the underdogs at 4.20, but that is a tag they should relish.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Betting Tips
First goalscorer: Erling Haaland @ 4.10
After his hat-trick against Chelsea, Haaland will feel confident of scoring another goal against United. The Norwegian superstar is at 1.81 to score anytime, for those who want to take the less risky option.
Manchester City to score over 2.5 goals @ 2.44
United’s defence was porous last season and they did not keep a single clean sheet in pre-season. As such, we can see City beating Andre Onana a fair few times at Wembley – even without the likes of Foden and Rodri in the starting XI.
Manchester City to be winning at half-time and full-time @ 2.21
We can see this being a match in which City send out a warning to the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool ahead of the new Premier League season. Expect them to come flying out the traps, which could result in them taking the lead early and putting their local rivals to the sword.
Manchester United Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Evans, Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Mount, Fernandes, Amad, Sancho, Rashford
Manchester City Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ortega, Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Phillips, Kovacic, Bobb, Bernardo, Grealish, Haaland
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