The 2024/25 season has come round in a flash and this weekend's community shield serves up a Manchester derby ahead of the Premiere League's return on August 16th.
While the importance of this fixture remains up for debate, the traditional curtain raiser to the Premier League season has not been kind to City over the last few years. With defeats to Liverpool, Arsenal and Leicester in the past three years, it's a run of defeats Man City manager Pep Guardiola will plan on reversing.
It will be fascinating to see if they are yet up to speed, having seen so many players having their summer disrupted by Euro 2024 and the Copa America.
The last competitive match both teams played resulted in Manchester United remarkably winning the FA cup against their biter rivals, that win is surely what has kept Ten Hag in a job and a victory at the weekend will serve as a confidence boost heading into the new season.
The injuries of Rasmus Hojlund and new signing Leny Yoro are far from ideal for the red devils and their pre-season performances have done little to inspire fans ahead of the new season. A 3-0 defeat to Liverpool marked the end of their tour of the USA.
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When And Where Is Manchester City v Manchester United Taking Place?
The match will take place on Saturday August 20th at 3:00pm from Wembley stadium, London.
How To Watch Manchester United v Manchester City
The match will be televised live via ITV 1, ITVX and Premier Sports 1 with coverage getting underway at 14.15pm.
Manchester United v Manchester City Team News
In defence, United face a selection headache, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was withdrawn during defeat to Liverpool with an unspecified injury, new signing Leny Yoro is out for three months with a foot injury, while Harry Maguire is still recovering from the issue that ruled him out of Euro 2024.
Jonny Evans came off against the Reds due to illness, though he should be fine, while Victor Lindelof was also taken off. This leaves United with just one fit centre-back in Lisandro Martinez.
Bruno Fernandes has yet to play any part in pre-season, so Mason Mount should play in the number ten role behind Marcus Rashford. Jadon Sancho is back in the fold after clear-the-air talks with Ten Hag, so he should be on the left or possibly up front.
Rasmus Hojlund picked up a hamstring injury in a 2-1 pre-season defeat to Arsenal and is out for six weeks, while new striker Joshua Zirkzee will hope to make his debut after missing out on the US trip because of his Euro 2024 involvement with the Netherlands.
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that City’s England EURO 2024 trio of Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones as well as Spanish star Rodri will not be available for selection for Saturday’s Community Shield clash against Manchester United.
Erling Haaland didn't have an international tournament to compete in, so he's been playing in all of City's pre-season games and will lead the line.
New signing Savinho will also make his domestic debut for his new club after joining from Girona. However, given the extra match sharpness, Jack Grealish and Oscar Bobb will probably start on either wing.
Either way, both teams won't be at full-strength but it's a good opportunity to see how teams are playing ahead of the start of the new season in a weeks time.
