The FA Community Shield will kick off the 2024/25 season on August 10th, with Manchester United hosting Fulham at Old Trafford. This match will be a pre-season treat for fans, offering a glimpse of the upcoming campaign and a unique opportunity to witness a Manchester Derby before the league season begins. The FA Community Shield clash between Manchester United and Manchester City is more than just a pre-season friendly. It’s a battleground fueled by the recent FA Cup rivalry. For Manchester City, the Red Devils’ FA Cup triumph last season serves as a clear challenge, drawing a line in the sand for this fixture. Conversely, Manchester United’s victory represents a sweet revenge for their 2023 FA Cup loss to Pep Guardiola’s side, adding an extra layer of intensity to this pre-season encounter.

Manchester United’s FA Cup victory, secured by goals from Garnacho and Mianoo, marked their second trophy under Erik ten Hag and served as a perfect revenge for their 2023 FA Cup loss to Manchester City. This triumph proved pivotal for their season, turning their fortunes around despite finishing 8th in the league with 60 points. Their FA Cup win secured a UEFA Europa League spot, while Chelsea, despite finishing higher in the league, dropped to the UEFA Conference League. The FA Cup victory not only boosted Manchester United’s morale but also set the stage for a potential rematch in the FA Community Shield, a fixture that promises to be a continuation of the FA Cup rivalry. The Red Devils, eager to add another trophy to their cabinet, have been actively strengthening their squad in preparation for this clash.

The FA Cup loss to Manchester United was a shock for Pep Guardiola and his Cityzens, a deviation from their usual dominance. However, their Premier League triumph sets the stage for a rematch in the FA Community Shield, a chance for redemption. Guardiola and his men will be eager to paint Manchester blue and reclaim the glory they lost with the FA Cup defeat, aiming to start the new season with a statement victory. Manchester City will be determined to right the wrongs of their FA Cup loss and set the tone for the Manchester derby rivalry in the new season. They aim to silence the enthusiasm surrounding Manchester United’s new signings and managerial appointment. However, the task won’t be easy as they face a revitalized Red Devils side brimming with hope and enthusiasm.

Manchester City will be counting on Haaland, the Premier League top scorer last season and Phil Foden, the Premier league player of the season, who has proven themselves to be merchants of this derby to recapitulate their awesome performances in one of the derbies when they both scored a hat-trick. On the other hand, Manchester United will be looking up to Leny alongside Martinez to end their defense woes which has been one of their problems in this tie. They will be looking up to Zirkzee to add a new favor to attack and make it a very difficult encounter for the Cityzen defenders. While Manchester City relies on Bernardo and De Bruyne for some creative resourcefulness, Manchester United may have to have all their eyes turned to Bruno Fernandes for his creative ingenuity to make it their night.

Both teams will need to be at their best to emerge victorious from this encounter. Manchester United, who have recently shown signs of turning the tide in this historically one-sided rivalry, are determined to continue their momentum after their recent win. They are no longer the pushovers they once were against Manchester City. The question remains: will Manchester City, who lost the FA Community Shield to Arsenal last season, suffer another defeat this year? Will they learn from their past encounter and secure victory against Manchester United, or will Manchester United continue the trend of dethroning the league champions, as they did last season? The answer will be revealed in this highly anticipated clash.

The FA Community Shield has become synonymous with penalty shootouts and the league champions’ downfall in recent years. Will this trend continue, or will we see a change in fortune on August 10th, 2024? Only time will tell as we eagerly await this exciting encounter.

Back Manchester City to win the trophy.

Correct Score: 1-3