Predicted Starting Line-Up: Manchester City vs Manchester United (FA Community Shield)

Manchester City take on rivals Manchester United in an attempt to win their first FA Community Shield since 2019, as they kickstart their 2024/25 campaign.

After one win in their four-pre-season games in the US tour, the real business begins on Saturday for the Blues, with a chance to rectify the Emirates FA Cup final defeat as they travel to their second home to face Manchester United.

Several key players returned to training this week for City, although Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the Sky Blues will be without Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones on Saturday, following their involvement in the Euro 2024 final.

After losing Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid, City are left somewhat short in the striker department, with Erling Haaland an obvious candidate to start this fixture, coming off the back of a hat-trick against Chelsea last Saturday.

New signing Savinho will be one to watch this weekend, with the Brazilian winger likely to have an impact at some stage, be it from the bench or starting the match, with high expectations on the shoulders of the former Girona man.

Another possible starter is Kalvin Phillips, with Guardiola heaping praise on the Englishman following his surprisingly solid outings at centre-back in pre-season, suggesting the 28-year-old could start on Saturday.

With that being said, here is the side we think will start the game against Manchester United, as Manchester City look to break the curse of the Community Shield and start their season off with a trophy.

Predicted XI

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Ederson will start the match on Saturday, despite many expecting Stefan Ortega to start.

Rico Lewis suffered with some cramp against Chelsea last weekend, but should be fit enough to start this one for the Blues.

Ruben Dias suffered a quarter-final exit from Euro 2024 with Portugal, while Manuel Akanji also suffered the same fate with Switzerland. We expect the pair to start together, leaving no room for Phillips in this one.

Josko Gvardiol was a sight for sore eyes when he returned in pre-season, instantly bringing control to the defence. We expect Gvardiol to start again on Saturday to complete the back four.

Just like his fellow countryman, Mateo Kovacic was phenomenal during the trip stateside, and so we expect him to start this one at the base of midfield.

Youngster Nico O’Reilly was a bright spark this summer, with Guardiola so impressed by his performances that he will be given a spot in the squad this upcoming season. We think O’Reilly might start in midfield alongside Bernardo Silva at Wembley.

The centre of attention during the US tour was Oscar Bobb, with the Norwegian mesmerising every time he touched the ball. Bobb will almost definitely start this one, with a huge season ahead for the academy star.

Hungry for goals, Erling Haaland will start once more. We all saw what he can do to Manchester United when he’s in the mood for it, and we would expect nothing less on Saturday.

Completing the starting side is Jeremy Doku, who is set for his first minutes amid the rumoured absence of Jack Grealish due to injury.

Predicted XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, O’Reilly, Silva; Bobb, Haaland, Doku.

Substitutes: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Wilson-Esbrand, Perrone, Mcatee, De Bruyne, Savinho.