Early team news: Manchester City vs Manchester United (FA Community Shield)

Manchester City begin their 2024/25 campaign with an FA Community Shield clash against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to win the FA Community Shield trophy for the first time since 2019, and avenge for May’s Emirates FA Cup final loss to Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, following a surprise 2-1 defeat.

Manchester City ended their triumphant 2023/24 campaign with a loss in north London, after first-half goals from both Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo inflicted a major victory for Erik ten Hag’s side.

The Sky Blues begin their 2024/25 season at Wembley Stadium once again, and suffered a penalty shoot out-loss to Arsenal in the same fixture last year, with the game taken to a shoot-out after Cole Palmer’s 77th minute strike was cancelled out by Leandro Trossard.

Manchester City and Manchester United have both been in the United States for pre-season ahead of the fixture, with Guardiola’s side winning just one game of their four-match tour.

City beat Chelsea in Ohio last weekend, having suffered previous defeats to Celtic, AC Milan and FC Barcelona.

The pre-season tour squad consisted of a cohort from the City Football Academy and a handful of first-team stars, with Guardiola welcoming back the majority of his squad ahead of Saturday’s FA Community Shield clash.

Manchester City will be without Rodri, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden for this weekend’s fixture against Manchester United, with the four players from the European Championship final yet to return for pre-season.

The match could also provide a first-team debut for summer signing Savinho, who joined from ES Troyes for an initial £21 million last month.

In the lead up to confirmed team news from Wembley Stadium, initial news regarding Manchester City’s team to face Manchester United is already emerging, including a major injury blow.

Jack Grealish is set to miss Saturday’s match, with The Sun reporting that the Englishman suffered an injury in first-team training, having originally been in line to start against Manchester United.

As per the information of The United Stand, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo both start for Manchester United against Manchester City.

Additionally, according to journalist Joe Bray on the ground at Wembley Stadium, it has been noted that 16-year-old defender Stephen Mfuni is in the Manchester City matchday squad against Manchester United.

Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag are expected to confirm their respective Manchester City and Manchester United starting line-ups from around 14:00 (UK) on Saturday afternoon.