Bruno Fernandez and Kobbie Mainoo back in a must win match”, Predicted Man United XI vs Man city – as Ten Hag set to Unleash another dangerous squad to triumph over City again
In a rematch of last season’s FA Cup final, Manchester United will have another shot at besting Manchester City on August 10 when the two city rivals clash in the 2024 Community Shield final. The Red Devils’ thrilling 2-1 victory in their previous encounter not only added a record 13th FA Cup title to their name but also secured Erik ten Hag’s position as manager following a disappointing Premier League season.
Notably, this marks the first time since 1885 that the same two teams have met in consecutive FA Cup finals, an intriguing historical footnote for the upcoming match. While some may dismiss the Community Shield as a mere pre-season friendly, both Manchester sides will fiercely contest it, driven by the desire to claim bragging rights over their bitter rivals.
Given the way both teams have navigated their pre-season tours, speculation is rife about how the managers will set up their squads. The line-ups revealed an hour before kick-off will likely provide insights into their strategies for the forthcoming Premier League season. However, predicting the starting elevens is challenging, especially with Pep Guardiola’s unpredictable selections and Ten Hag’s adjustments due to injuries.
Manchester United faces significant injury challenges with Rasmus Hojlund, Antony, Marcus Rashford, and new £52 million signing Leny Yoro all sidelined. This situation complicates Ten Hag’s task but also simplifies his selection process to some extent. In defense, United is expected to adopt a traditional setup with Andre Onana as goalkeeper, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire in central defense, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Amass on the flanks, rewarded for their solid pre-season performances.
The midfield appears more stable, with no major injury concerns. Ten Hag will likely field a strong trio of Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, and Mason Mount. However, the absence of Kobbie Mainoo, recovering after England’s Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, is a slight drawback.
In attack, Amad Diallo is almost certain to start on the right wing after contributing to goals in each of the three pre-season games, bolstering calls for him to have more playing time in the upcoming season. Joshua Zirkzee is expected to make his competitive debut due to the injuries to Hojlund and Rashford, while Jadon Sancho aims to reignite his career at Old Trafford.
