Just 11 weeks after clashing in the FA Cup final, Manchester City and Manchester United are set to face off again at Wembley, this time for the Community Shield. With bragging rights, momentum, and a sizable trophy at stake, this rematch promises to be just as intense.
This marks the eighth time in Community Shield history that the match features a repeat of the previous season’s FA Cup final.
Similar encounters occurred in 1957 (Man Utd vs Aston Villa), 1977 (Man Utd vs Liverpool), 1985 (Everton vs Man Utd), 1986 (Everton vs Liverpool), 1988 (Liverpool vs Wimbledon), 2007 (Man Utd vs Chelsea), and 2017 (Arsenal vs Chelsea).
Interestingly, in seven of the last eight Community Shields involving the previous season’s league champions and FA Cup winners, the FA Cup holders have emerged victorious. The lone exception was Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Chelsea in 2018—a stat that could give Erik ten Hag’s side confidence following their 2-1 FA Cup final win over City in May.
City have become regulars in the Community Shield under Pep Guardiola, with this being their fourth consecutive appearance. However, they’ve lost their last three, falling to Leicester City (2021), Liverpool (2022), and Arsenal (2023). Only Manchester United (1998 to 2001) have lost the Shield four times in a row.
Historically, the Community Shield has been Manchester United’s domain. With 21 victories (including shared titles), they have won it more times than any other team and have claimed the trophy in their last four appearances. This will be their first appearance since a 2-1 win over Leicester in 2016 under José Mourinho.
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Key players to watch include Erling Haaland, who has been in sensational form during pre-season, netting a hat-trick against Chelsea in a 4-2 win in Columbus. Haaland has a strong record against United, contributing to nine goals in six appearances, but he’s yet to score or assist in four outings at Wembley.
Phil Foden is another City player who thrives in Manchester derbies, with seven goal involvements in his last six appearances against United. For United, Marcus Rashford is a proven derby performer, with six goals against City in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo, who starred for England at Euro 2024, will look to add to his growing legacy. After scoring against City in the FA Cup final, the teenager could join Nicolas Anelka as only the second player to score in both the FA Cup final and the subsequent Community Shield as a teenager.
Head-to-head, this will be the third time Manchester City and Manchester United have met in the Community Shield. United won the previous two encounters, 1-0 in 1956 and 3-2 in 2011. Last season, City dominated the Premier League meetings, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford and 3-1 at the Etihad, but United had the last laugh with their FA Cup final victory in May, thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Mainoo, despite a late effort from Jérémy Doku.
Source: Opta Analyst
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