According to Standard, Manchester City will be missing four key players when they take on Manchester United in Saturday's Community Shield. Euro 2024 finalists Rodri, John Stones, Phil Foden, and Kyle Walker have yet to begin their pre-season training and are expected to be absent for the season opener.
Pep Guardiola has recently welcomed several internationals who participated in summer tournaments and will need to manage their playing time carefully ahead of the Premier League season, which kicks off against Chelsea the following Sunday.
Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes, and new signing Savinho have not featured in pre-season matches, but the less intense nature of the Community Shield could see them make an appearance, especially since many of United's players are in a similar situation.
City has navigated several injury concerns over the summer, with Ederson, Erling Haaland, and Rico Lewis all dealing with minor issues during their US tour. Lewis is a strong candidate to fill in at right-back for Walker, but Josh Wilson-Esbrand's hamstring problem might prevent him from playing.
Youngsters like Nico O'Reilly and James McAtee are also in contention for a spot.
Guardiola will provide additional team updates at a press conference on Friday.
Predicted Manchester City XI: Ortega; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; De Bruyne, Kovacic; Bobb, Silva, Grealish; Haaland
Doubts: Walker, Stones, Foden, Wilson-Esbrand, Rodri
Time and Date: 3pm BST, Saturday August 10, 2024
Venue: Wembley
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