Manchester United vs Manchester City Preview
The new top-flight season officially kicks off with the Community Shield. Manchester United will play Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday, August 10th at 3 pm. It’s an opportunity for both teams to kickstart their seasons by lifting silverware.
Some people say that the Community Shield doesn’t matter. But they’ll say the opposite if their team wins it. This is also a major derby, so it provides an added incentive. We may even see some new signings take to the field.
This game means more to Man United after a tough 2023/2024 season. Now Erik ten Hag hopes to show the new Ineos leadership that he will take them forward. Beating City would be a great early marker for the coach.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Key Stats and Head-to-Head
United and City are two of the biggest clubs in world soccer. It wasn’t always this way, but nouveau riche City turned this rivalry around. They’ve won four of their last six derbies against the Red Devils since 2022. If you are betting on the winner of the Community Shield, City has claimed six while Man United has 21.
However, United defeated their city rivals to win the FA Cup in their final competitive game of last season. This was a shocking result but one of the best moments of Ten Hag’s career. Most fans expected the Citizens to run through United who had their worst top-flight finish since 1990.
Alejandro Garnacho helped United take an early shock lead that rattled City. Then last year’s breakthrough star Kobbie Mainoo added a second before the break. Pep Guardiola lit a fire under his team at halftime. They had several great opportunities with Erling Haaland hitting the crossbar. Jeremy Doku scored for City in the 87th minute but United held firm.
This was Ten Hag’s second trophy as United manager. The Dutchman faced incredible criticism last year, with many expecting Sir. Jim Ratcliffe to fire him. Ultimately, United opted to keep him in the hot seat for now.
There are no such doubts about Pep Guardiola. He inspired City to a sixth Premier League title. However, there is speculation that this may be his last season in charge because his contract will expire in the summer.
City has incredible talent in their ranks. Erling Haaland scored 27 league goals for his team last year. They even played well without their talisman, Kevin De Bruyne, for chunks of the season. Meanwhile, Guardiola sold Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for staggering money and signed Savinho.
United have an injury crisis. Star striker Rasmus Hojlund is out for about six weeks with a hamstring problem. New signing Leny Yoro is also unavailable until November. The likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof are also potential absentees for this Community Shield game. He only has one senior centre-back in Lisandro Martinez.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Predictions
Predicted Score: Manchester 1 – Manchester City 2
Our soccer prediction is that Manchester City will win the Community Shield. United’s defensive crisis has come at a terrible time. The reigning Premier League champions have too much firepower for a makeshift back-four to handle. This could be a tough day at Wembley for Man United.
City has better defensive options than their rivals. But United may experience joy down their left channel if Sancho targets Rico Lewis. Jack Grealish will need to help his teammates by tracking back.
The United family has your back, @Leny_Yoro 🫶#MUFC pic.twitter.com/jqRvqIih2t
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 7, 2024
Ten Hag has proven that he can beat City. Maybe they’ll take a shock lead in this game. We’d still fancy Guardiola’s men to equalise before winning. Check the in-play betting odds because it will be more profitable to back City if they’re trailing. Neither team will probably be at their best in this clash.
Erling Haaland has enjoyed his preseason. The Norway striker scored a hat trick against Chelsea. We think he’ll grab at least a goal against United’s inexperienced back-four. His fellow Norwegian Oscar Bobb has also had a pleasant summer. He’ll start and could supply an assist for his compatriot.
United will depend on Marcus Rashford to lead their line. He’s good in the air and has plenty to prove. He’s the most likely scorer for the Red Devils. Jadon Sancho was excellent for Borussia Dortmund last year. Maybe they can combine to surprise Man City.
There’s a good chance that Manchester United will concede a penalty. This defence doesn’t know each other well and Andre Onana isn’t the most inspiring goalkeeper. Erling Haaland is prolific from 12 yards and is their main penalty-taker now.
This game may be relatively even until Guardiola introduces the likes of De Bruyne and Foden after the break. The teams could enter the first half with one goal apiece. However, City has better options in reserve, and betting against the Premier League winner is never a smart move.
City will probably overpower their rivals in the second half. We expect to see at least one goal in the last half hour. New signing Savinho could make an impact off the bench. The Brazilian possesses pace and could rattle United’s young fullbacks.
Joshua Zirksee is arguably United’s most exciting signing. The Dutch forward would love to score on his debut. We don’t think he’ll start, but he offers a goal threat. United will be desperate for him to make an impact.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Betting Tips
Unsurprisingly, betting on Man United is the more lucrative option in this game. They are sizeable 18/5 underdogs on our online bookmaker. A successful €10 bet would make a €36 profit. They could pull off a shock because City won’t play their strongest XI.
However, Man City is the favourite for a reason. Even without United’s defensive crisis, we’d favour them to win. It’s 8/15 for them to win this game outright. This time, €10 would make €15.33. These odds may be more appealing with a higher stake. Remember, they may change if either team makes a big signing before this Community Shield clash.
Betting on soccer is fun because there are so many options. Players can wager on the number of corners, bookings and red cards. Check the over-under markets for the number of goals. It’s 1/2 for there to be 2.5 or more goals, which correlates with our predicted scoreline.
It’s 6/5 for there to be over 3.5 yellow cards. Some people think that the Community Shield is a glorified friendly. But this is a derby between two very competitive sides. There will also be a lot of young and inexperienced players on the field, so this may be a lucrative option.
Welcome to Manchester, Savinho! 🤩🪄 pic.twitter.com/zVpSlnEtkK
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 6, 2024
The corners market is interesting because it’s even money for there to be fewer than 9.5. There were only six corners in the FA Cup Final, so this may be tempting. However, there may be more because City will put United under severe pressure.
Both teams may start slow because of their young lineups. City has better options on the bench. We expect them to score at least one second-half goal when Kevin De Bruyne and Savinho take to the field.
If you think United take a shock 1-0 lead, why not back them on 8/15? We still don’t think they’ll win this game, but they could get lucky from a set piece. Christian Eriksen takes a great free kick while Casemiro is dangerous from corners.
Another profitable option is the anytime goalscorer market. Erling Haaland is 8/11 to grab a goal. This seems like a great price because he’s licking his lips at United’s woes at the back. He could run riot during this game.
We think that Marcus Rashford is United’s best hope of a goal. The forward didn’t enjoy a prolific season in 2023/24. Nonetheless, it’s 7/2 for him to score. The odds are lower for new signing Joshua Zirkzee at 3/1. But we think that he’s unlikely to start given the upheaval in United’s team right now.
City will look to Oscar Bobb and James McAtee to supply assists. McAtee is a good option because he’s going to play the Phil Foden role. It’s 11/4 for him to score at any time. The Salford native has also enjoyed an impressive preseason.
Sancho has flown under the radar in recent weeks. He’ll be like a new signing if Ten Hag can get the best out of him. He could be a wild card option to score for United or grab an assist for Rashford.
Looking beyond this game, both teams have big ambitions this season. Manchester City is the favourite for anyone betting on the Premier League winner. Meanwhile, many expect Big Sir Jim Radcliffe to lose patience with Ten Hag. The Dutchman is an early leader to lose his job first. Don’t forget to use our welcome bonus after registering a new account.
Manchester United Team News and Predicted Lineup
It’s easy to feel sorry for Ten Hag because he doesn’t have a straightforward job in this game. Man City has some of the best attackers in the world but United are missing half of their defence. Lindelof, Yoro, Evans, and Wan-Bissaka may all be unavailable. Rasmus Hojlund is also missing in attack, so Marcus Rashford will lead the line.
- Predicted Lineup: Onana, Dalot, Martinez, Jackson, Amass, Eriksen, Casemiro, Sancho, Mount, Amad, Rashford.
Manchester City Team News and Predicted Lineup
The only good news for United is that this isn’t the best version of City either. However, Pep Guardiola’s side has stronger depth. We will see some of their younger stars starting as their more experienced players regain fitness.
Ortega will feature ahead of Ederson in goal. Meanwhile, the likes of Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis, and James McAtee will play. Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden will be on the bench but may see minutes later. Star midfielder Ruben Dias is unlikely to play.
- Predicted Lineup: Ortega, Lewis, Diaz, Gvardiol, Phillips, Kovacic, Grealish, McAtee, Bobb, Haaland.
