Manchester City will be looking to bring their Community Shield hoodoo to an end this weekend when they face rivals Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s side have been involved in the last three Community Shield clashes yet haven’t won the trophy since 2019. Defeats to Leicester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have left the Cityzens disappointed in recent curtain-raising duels.

A lack of intensity has often been City’s issue in the Community Shield. They’re notoriously slow starters and often treat the match as nothing more than a glorified pre-season friendly. Still, City supporters will be keen to avenge last season’s FA Cup final defeat to United this weekend.

The bulk of City’s swashbuckling stars have reported back late for pre-season duty. Most of the first team were involved in tournament football this summer and have subsequently had little time to rest before 2024/25. How many will be involved in the capital remains to be seen.

Here is how City could line up for their weekend derby with United.

GK: Stefan Ortega – Despite returning from his fractured eye socket on City’s pre-season tour of the United States, Ederson is an injury doubt for Saturday’s clash. As a result, reliable deputy Ortega may be utilised, even if his gaffe proved costly in last season’s FA Cup final.

RB: Rico Lewis – The young defender is also a fitness concern heading into the weekend. With Kyle Walker only just returning from England duty at Euro 2024, the versatile 19-year-old might have to start at Wembley if remotely fit.

CB: Ruben Dias – City were understandably guilty of leaking goals during their tour of the US. After all, the majority of their defence were unavailable and Guardiola will have been quietly thrilled to have seen Portugal’s Euro 2024 quarter-final exit so he can have the imposing Dias back.

CB: Manuel Akanji – Another Euro 2024 quarter-finalist, Akanji should partner Dias this weekend. John Stones and Nathan Ake will be eased back into the squad, with the Swiss defender stepping up in the meantime.

LB: Josko Gvardiol – Gvardiol’s end of 2023/24 form was astonishing – bar one error in the FA Cup final – with the Croatian defender turning into prime Marco van Basten in the opposition final third. Can his goalscoring streak continue this term?

CM: Kevin De Bruyne – With Rodri potentially unavailable after winning Euro 2024, De Bruyne may be tasked with playing in a deeper position against United. You want the Belgian as close to the opposition box as possible, but life isn’t perfect.

CM: Mateo Kovacic – Croatia’s group stage exit meant Kovacic made an early return and has been a key experienced head in a youthful pre-season squad. Aside from Rodri, he’s City’s most defensive-minded senior midfielder. Well, excluding the cursed Kalvin Phillips.

RW: Oscar Bobb – Bernardo Silva certainly doesn’t need to be rushed back into the starting lineup. Bobb has been in exceptional pre-season form and provided two goals and three assists during the US tour. This could be a real breakout season for the young Norwegian.

AM: James McAtee – Another extremely impressive pre-season performer has been McAtee. Despite being relegated on loan at Sheffield United during 2023/24, the 21-year-old now has the chance to be a bit-part player for England’s best side this term. A goal and two assists in the US must have caught Guardiola’s eye.

LW: Jack Grealish – The positive of Grealish missing Euro 2024 is he’s now fresh for the 2024/25 season. After a difficult campaign in which Jeremy Doku largely stole his starting spot, the 28-year-old must improve to avoid being axed next summer.

ST: Erling Haaland – Six goals in six outings against United. Five goals in pre-season so far. Good luck to United’s injury-hit defence on Saturday. They’re going to need it.

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