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DStv and GOtv are set to give customers access to the‘The Beautiful Game’, yet again. The traditional curtain-raiser to the top-flight English football season is the FA Community Shield, which will see Premier League champions Manchester City take on FA Cup winners Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London on the afternoon of Saturday, 10 August, 2024.
Match background
This meeting of City and United comes just two and a half months after they clashed in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium in late May – a match in which the Red Devils claimed a surprise 2-1 win. As a result, Pep Guardiola and his charges will have their sights set firmly on revenge – even if the Spanish tactician is reluctant to admit as much.
As for United, they are looking to build on that FA Cup win, with manager Erik ten Hag retained for the start of the first full season under the new co-ownership of the Ineos group. The Red Devils will need to show far more consistency and ambition compared to last season’s roller-coaster campaign, but kicking off with another win over City would be the perfect way to set the tone.
What the teams are saying
Man City manager Pep Guardiola, on the rising influence of the club’s academy players such as Oscar Bobb and Rico Lewis, said: “We’re blessed to have these players. It’s nice because the other young players look up to senior players. If you aren’t ready, another will be ready because look at them, they want to become footballers and show they want to be there. As a manager it’s really good and that’s why having this period before the season is good. It’s nice to see them, I didn’t know them quite well but in training we can find them”.
Man United midfielder Mason Mount, on the work the team has been doing in preparation for the season, noted: “This is such an important time for us as a group, to put the work in, to work at a few different things we’re going into the season trying to do. We don’t normally get loads of time to prepare for games during the season. You have, maybe, a few days if you’re having two games a week […]. So, ramping it up, really feeling good in the group and there’s a really good vibe. So yeah, we’ll be ready”.
Players to watch
Joshua Zirkzee – Manchester United
The Dutch forward will be looking to make a major statement of intent when he gets his first taste of a Manchester derby. Zirkzee’s energy and physicality could be key in United’s hopes of securing a second straight Wembley win over their arch-rivals.
Phil Foden – Manchester City
The attacking midfielder enjoyed a brilliant season in 2023-24 and was particularly good in the Premier League matches against Man United. Foden’s mercurial movement and hammer-like left foot make for a dangerous combination.
Julian Alvarez – Manchester City
The Argentine has been vocal about being unsatisfied with his lack of playing time with the Citizens, prompting many to think that he might be on his way out. Pep Guardiola made it clear that the player is still a part of their plans. Might this be the time for him to show what he’s made of?
African players to watch
Amad Diallo – Manchester United
- Born: 11 July, 2002 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- Position: Winger, attacking midfielder
- Jersey number: 19
- Senior club career: Atalanta (Italy, 2019-2021); Manchester United (England, 2021-present); Rangers (Scotland, 2022, loan); Sunderland (England, 2022-2023, loan).
- National team stats: 4 appearances, 1 goal.
- Man United stats: 21 appearances, 3 goals.
- Club career stats: 81 appearances, 21 goals.
The Ivorian winger is being hyped for a big season with United, having overcome a knee injury which kept him sidelined for much of the 2023-24 campaign. The 22-year-old is hoping his speed, skill and determined attitude put him ahead of Antony and Jadon Sancho for a starting berth on the right flank.
Andre Onana – Manchester United
- Born: 2 April, 1996 in Nkol Ngog, Cameroon
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Jersey number: 24
- Senior club career: Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands, Reserve Team: 2015-2016, First Team: 2016-2022); Inter Milan (Italy, 2022-2023); Manchester United (England, 2023-present)
- National team stats: 40 appearances.
- Man United stats: 51 appearances.
- Club career stats: 345 appearances.
Onana’s first season at United did not go exactly to plan, though the Cameroonian goalkeeper showed enough glimpses of his shot-stopping genius to suggest that he could thrive at Old Trafford. The 28-year-old will want to keep Man City’s attack at bay in this season’s curtain-raiser at Wembley.
Hannibal Mejbri
- Born: 21 January, 2003 in Paris, France (represents Tunisia internationally)
- Position: Midfielder
- Jersey number: 46
- Senior club career: Manchester United (England, 2021-present); Birmingham City (England, 2022-2023, loan); Sevilla (Spain, 2024, loan)
- National team stats: 27 appearances, 0 goals
- Man United stats: 13 appearances, 1 goal.
- Club career stats: 65 appearances, 21 goals.
French-born Tunisian Hannibal Mejbri has a well-rounded game which could yet make him a Man United regular, though he is being strongly linked with a move away from the club – with Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic said to be competing for his services.
Head-to-head
In head-to-head stats, Man City and Man United have met in 193 matches across all competitions. The Red Devils have claimed 79 wins compared to 61 for the Citizens, while 53 games have been drawn.
The teams’ most recent meeting, as mentioned earlier, was the FA Cup final back in May which United won 2-1 thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
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FA Community Shield broadcast details
Saturday 10th August
16:00 (CAT): Manchester United v Manchester City
LIVE on SuperSport Blitz (GOtv)
LIVE on Football Plus (DStv)
