Manchester United take on Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday afternoon.
United won the FA Cup thanks to a stunning victory over City in May and the two sides will meet again at Wembley this weekend for the Community Shield. The fixture is the United’s last this summer before the start of the new Premier League campaign and Erik ten Hag must oversee a drastic improvement after a dismal 2023/24.
Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro have been signed, but Yoro sustained a metatarsal injury on tour in the United States and has been ruled out of action for around three months. Rasmus Hojlund is set to be sidelined for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury, while Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bisska are fitness doubts.
Samuel Luckhurst
United have to strike a balance of selecting tour participants and those durable enough who were not on tour. Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes are hardly ever injured and the former is needed in a depleted defence. As is Lisandro Martinez.
Kobbie Mainoo should not be risked and, without him, United’s midfield is in disarray. Casemiro starts by default but Toby Collyer’s bustling energy deserves a run-out in a competitive game.
Alejandro Garnacho did not play much at the Copa America and the last time he was not in a United starting XI was against City in October. This ‘new’ United cannot start the season with Jadon Sancho up front and Joshua Zirkzee did not have a taxing European Championship.
Steven Railston
Martinez and Shaw should start together for the first time since February 4 if the latter is considered fit enough to play. United’s fortunes this season could hinge on whether they can stay fit, such is their importance, and it’s concerning Shaw is a doubt for the match. Amass has delivered mature performances in pre-season and can step in if Shaw can’t start at Wembley.
Casemiro and Mount have the benefit of a full-season under their belts and should make the starting team. Mount has a point to prove this season and can get the nod over Mainoo, who only returned to Carrington earlier in the week after playing in the Euro 2024 final.
Fernandes was given a similar break to Mainoo but he’s the captain and must start as the No.10, while Amad should start on the right after a string of impressive pre-season displays.
George Smith
Following the news that Shaw is a doubt for the Wembley showdown, opportunity knocks for Amass. He has never made a competitive appearance for United, but his pre-season performances did enough to suggest he is capable.
Elsewhere in the defence, Dalot should make his first appearance since the FA Cup final and Evans looks set to partner Martinez. Maguire and Lindelof are both doubts.
It would be harsh for Mount to be axed from United’s midfield after making his mark in the US. He should start at No.10 with Fernandes, along with Mainoo, being saved for the Premier League opener against Fulham, certainly from the start. Amad must start in attack after a glittering pre-season. Zirkzee deserves his debut.
