Coming live from Old Trafford, Manchester United community shield final in jeopardy as two star players ruled out and won’t be available for selection against Manchester city. “This is not what I planned but this is also football you prepare for the worst. This is of a big disadvantage to me and my squad, I don’t know how it will be but we would give our all”. Confirmed, Two crucial United Stars won’t be available for selection against Manchester city in the community shield final. Off all days why now😢 let’s just forget it we can’t win this game without this two players. Us winning this game we need a miracle. This is a very big blow💔🙀🙀
Manchester United will begin their season today with a match against Manchester City in the Community Shield, held at Wembley, setting up a rematch of last May’s FA Cup final. Erik ten Hag is looking to secure his third trophy in as many years as he enters a pivotal season where the team will need to show significant improvements.
Both teams will be missing key players, with United facing ongoing defensive issues and some of City’s stars yet to return from their holidays.
Here’s a predicted lineup for Ten Hag’s team ahead of their last match before the Premier League season starts next Friday:
**Goalkeeper – Onana**
Andre Onana, who was United’s primary goalkeeper last season, playing in almost every game, will likely start. The Cameroon international has hinted at adopting a riskier playing style in his second season at Old Trafford, but he will also need to work on other aspects of his game.
**Defence – Dalot, Evans, Martinez, Amass**
Diogo Dalot was among the last players to return to Carrington this summer. With Aaron Wan-Bissaka doubtful for the match against City, Dalot is expected to remain the first-choice right-back. On the left, Luke Shaw is unlikely to feature at Wembley, having only recently started pre-season training.
This opens the door for 17-year-old Harry Amass, who could make history as United’s 251st academy graduate, following his extensive involvement in pre-season. With Leny Yoro sidelined for three months and doubts surrounding the availability of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans are the only fit centre-backs available to Ten Hag.
**Midfield – Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes**
Casemiro is set to stay at Old Trafford due to a lack of transfer interest and played in all five of United’s pre-season matches. Kobbie Mainoo, after a stellar breakthrough season, remains a key part of Ten Hag’s midfield and could be handed his first minutes of the new campaign. If Mainoo is not ready to start, Mason Mount or Scott McTominay could partner with Casemiro behind Bruno Fernandes. Fernandes, who didn’t play in pre-season after participating in Euro 2024, is expected to be a reliable presence from the first to the last minute of the 2024/25 season.
**Attack – Amad, Rashford, Zirkzee**
Ten Hag faces a tough decision on who to start on the right wing, with options including Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Facundo Pellistri. However, Amad was one of the standout performers during pre-season and is tipped by his manager to have a strong season. Marcus Rashford is almost certain to start on the left, having been heavily involved in pre-season preparations, and Ten Hag is optimistic about his form improving significantly. With Rasmus Hojlund out for six weeks due to a hamstring injury, new £36.5 million signing Joshua Zirkzee is likely to make his first start for United.
