It’s been 81 days since Manchester City won an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title. It’s also been 75 days since Manchester United beat its local rivals in the FA Cup final. Considering this, the 2024 Community Shield is set to be a highly anticipated and electrifying encounter between Manchester’s soccer giants, who are hungry for more hardware.
City enters the match with a seasoned yet fatigued squad, while United’s new signings must pick up the slack amidst a slew of injuries. And while many fans see the Community Shield as nothing more than a glorified friendly, it’s an important indication of fitness (and bragging rights) ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season, which begins on Aug. 16.
Read on for everything you need to know about Saturday’s showpiece – including players to watch and key storylines.
Quick hits
• The FA Community Shield sees the winners of the 2023/24 FA Cup (Manchester United) take on the current Premier League Champions (Manchester City) at Wembley Stadium.
• The match kicks off on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT on Sportsnet+.
• Manchester City has won the Community Shield six times, most recently in 2019. Manchester United has recorded 21 wins, with the most recent success coming in 2016.
• United is the most successful club in the history of the competition.
• Saturday’s clash will be the 194th competitive Manchester Derby. City won 61 and lost 79 of the previous 193 outings.
• Jarred Gillett will referee the match, with Adrian Holmes and Nick Greenhalgh as assistants. Peter Bankes will be the video assistant referee.
Manchester City is out for revenge
Generally speaking, City will want revenge after a shocking loss to the Reds in the 2024 FA Cup final. Pep Guardiola’s squad was the fixture’s undeniable favourite, and being denied the double by United, its foe, rubbed salt in the wound even further.
Additionally, the Community Shield typically isn’t kind to the Blues. The last time City won the event was in 2019 in a shootout over Liverpool. Since then, Arsenal and the Merseysiders topped the former Treble winners, who will be keen to return the trophy to its cabinet.
What’s concerning for City is its overworked players ahead of the matchup. The majority of Guardiola’s starting XI played in the Copa America or European Championships this summer, with little time to physically and mentally reset. City’s mainstay, Rodri, will be particularly affected after going all the way and lifting the coveted trophy in Germany.
But while City is known for being slow out of the gate, with the talent and diligence the squad boasts (especially its younger stars like Oscar Bobb and James McAtee, who shined on the pre-season tour), anything is possible.
While it’s hard to predict how City will play on Saturday, fans can expect new signing Savinho to make his debut in sky blue. In July, the Brazilian winger joined from Troyes on a five-year, €40m deal. Last season, the 20-year-old scored 11 goals and contributed 10 assists for Girona (on loan) to help the Catalonia club finish third in La Liga.
Savinho aside, striker Erling Haaland will be vital for City’s redemption. Although Guardiola said the Norwegian needs to have his minutes managed after City’s pre-season win over Chelsea, the Golden Boot winner had a summer off after his country failed to qualify for the Euros. Fresh off a hat-trick against Enzo Maresca & Co., the “robot” will be jumping to silence United.
Speaking of Norwegians, Bobb will be another player to watch. While the 21-year-old might not start, his pre-season poise should earn him more minutes this campaign. City’s No. 52 has demonstrated control and footwork in tight areas around the box, almost reminiscent of former City star David Silva. And if the game is close midway through the second 45, you can bet Guardiola will call on the youngster for inspired, fresh legs. With Julián Álvarez not with the squad amidst Atlético Madrid transfer rumours, it’s Bobb’s time to step up.
The Reds must present a “United” front
While City might want the trophy, United need to win the Community Shield – at least for Erik ten Hag’s sake. Securing the FA Cup is surely the reason the manager still has a job. After last season’s lackluster Premier League campaign, rumours of his departure went wild. But after United’s end-of-season review, the club asked the Dutchman to remain at Old Trafford.
On Saturday, all eyes and pressure will be on the 54-year-old. If he doesn’t lead the Reds to victory, the British press will eat him alive. But if United do win, it’ll raise hope and confidence heading into a new season.
While United has historically dominated the Community Shield, odds are against ten Hag’s squad this time around from an injury perspective.
In pre-season, new recruit Leny Yoro fractured his metatarsal in a July friendly against Arsenal. After successfully undergoing surgery on Monday, the 18-year-old is not expected to return to the pitch for three months. Additionally, striker Rasmus Højlund pulled his hamstring the very same game shortly after scoring for his side. The duo joins Tyrell Malacia in injury recovery.
On the plus side, having previously suited up for Bayern Munich and Feyenoord, ten Hag could award forward Joshua Zirkzee his debut. The 23-year-old arrived at the Theatre of Dreams in July from Bologna on a five-year, €40m deal, and his experience and fresh energy could be United’s missing piece.
But to overthrow City, the Reds must ultimately rely on its core. Skipper Bruno Fernandes has to unleash his tactical prowess to break through the Blues’ tough backline, and Marcus Rashford needs to return to goal-scoring form (like he did in the 2022/23 season).
Emerging talent Kobbie Mainoo could also be the creative spark ten Hag’s side needs. After a solid Euro stint with England this summer, the 19-year-old could use the Community Shield to prove to his manager why he deserves consistent minutes in the Premier League.
Overall, if United is to be successful on Saturday, it will have to come from collective strength and unity. Quite often egos and emotions get in the way of the Mancunian side, so the Community Shield is the perfect opportunity for a fresh start.
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