WeeklySA_AdminDERBY: Saturday’s match presents opportunity to see some new signings from both teams and all points to a cracker of a game
By Sports Reporter
Manchester United are preparing to face neighbours City in the Community Shield on Saturday in a bid to collect first piece of silverware in the new 2024/25 campaign.
Following Man U’s triumph over the Blues back in May in the Emirates FA Cup final, and their Premier League success, this bout will be a re-run of that memorable day and the third Manchester derby to occur at Wembley in just over a year.
Our opponents this weekend were defeated in last year’s edition of the fixture, that time against Arsenal, on penalties.
United’s Stateside pre-season tour provided helpful preparation for the travelling squad but Erik ten Hag’s side did land back in Manchester with a couple of names added to the injury list.
New signing Leny Yoro picked up an unfortunate foot injury in our friendly against Arsenal in Los Angeles.
Thankfully, the surgery he required has been successfully completed, but it means his introduction to competitive action for the Reds is set to be delayed by around three months.
United have also suffered setbacks in the frontline while across the pond. In that same game against the Gunners, striker Rasmus Hojlund went down not long after netting the game’s first goal and had to be withdrawn.
That pair join Tyrell Malacia in the treatment room as he continues his recovery from long-term injury.
Saturday’s game could present the first chance to see the recently arrived Joshua Zirkzee turn out for United, but further team news is expected to be delivered by Ten Hag in the pre-match press conference later this week.
United have a strong history in the competition, dating back to their first appearance in 1908 against Queens Park Rangers. United most recently fought for the honour in 2016 against Leicester City, with goals from Jesse Lingard and Zlatan Ibrahimovic enough to give us the victory on that day.
United have met their crosstown rivals twice before when battling for the shield, the first in 1956. Fans had to wait until 2011 for the match-up to occur again, when three second-half goals from Chris Smalling and Nani (2) proved enough to turnaround City’s two-goal lead at half time.
On both occasions, the honours travelled back to the red half of town, a record United will be working hard to uphold on Saturday.
