Zirkzee vs Savior!! Man united vs Man city! 4-3-3 vs 4-3-3 community shield final as pep Guardiola vows to revenge FA cup lose to Man united

Manchester United and Manchester City are gearing up for a highly anticipated showdown in the 2024 FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on August 10th. This annual match traditionally marks the start of the football season, featuring a contest between the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners. This year’s event is particularly captivating as it revives the intense rivalry between the two Manchester clubs. Fans will recall last season’s FA Cup final when Manchester United unexpectedly triumphed over their city rivals, a victory that not only secured the cup but also likely saved manager Erik ten Hag’s job after an otherwise underwhelming season.

Manchester United’s preparations for the match have been bolstered by the return of key players such as Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo. Both players have recently resumed training following their participation in Euro 2024 with the England national team. Their return adds much-needed depth and quality to Ten Hag’s squad, though it remains uncertain whether they will feature in the starting lineup given their limited recent game time. On the other side, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, coming off their Premier League title win, will be eager to reassert their dominance in this season opener.

For this match, Erik ten Hag is expected to employ a 4-3-3 formation, a tactical shift from the more familiar 4-2-3-1. This change is largely driven by the absence of Bruno Fernandes, who, after his international duties, is not expected to start. In his place, Mason Mount is likely to feature in the midfield, providing United with increased stability. Mount is expected to take on a box-to-box role, contributing to both defensive and attacking phases.

A significant tactical adjustment in United’s lineup involves Jadon Sancho, who is anticipated to play as a central striker with a False 9 role, a position usually occupied by Rasmus Hojlund. Hojlund’s hamstring injury, sustained during the U.S. tour, has ruled him out for up to six weeks, forcing Ten Hag to reconsider his attacking options.

In a recent statement, Ten Hag acknowledged the need to adapt: “This is what we must do in the absence of Rasmus. Joshua Zirkzee is also an option as he’s just started training, but he still needs time to adjust to English football and our style of play. Jadon can also be deployed as a striker. We know he can operate on the wings, but he’s also effective as a false striker, which is an option we are considering.”

As for the defense, Ten Hag faces several uncertainties. Injuries have plagued key defenders like Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans, while Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, and Diogo Dalot have only recently returned to training. Additionally, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is reportedly in advanced talks for a move to West Ham, which could further complicate defensive selections. Consequently, United’s back four could look significantly different when the final lineup is announced, adding an element of unpredictability to the team’s overall setup.