The 2024 Community Shield match is set to take place today at Wembley Stadium between Manchester United and Manchester City. This will mark the 194th meeting between the two rivals, with Premier League champions Manchester City facing the 2023/24 FA Cup winners Manchester United in this traditional season opener.
Despite Manchester City's recent dominance, winning the league title four times in the last five seasons, the Manchester derby has remained competitive. In their last 46 meetings, City has won 22 matches and scored 75 goals, while United has won 20 times, netting 59 goals, with four matches ending in a draw.
However, City has lost two of the last five derbies, including a 2-1 defeat to United in the FA Cup final this past May. The build-up to today's match has seen a change in officiating, with Jarred Gillett replacing the initially appointed referee, John Brooks, who was sidelined due to injury.
Under Pep Guardiola's eight-year tenure, Manchester City has won the league six times, but their record in the Community Shield is less impressive, with only two victories. City will be eager to avoid a repeat of last season's Community Shield loss to Arsenal at the same venue.
On the injury front, Manchester United will be missing several key players, including new signing Leny Yoro, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, and Rasmus Hojlund. In contrast, Manchester City has no major injury concerns and is expected to field a strong squad, featuring players like Haaland, Rodri, Doku, De Bruyne, and Foden.
Despite the injury challenges, Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has expressed his desire to win the Community Shield but emphasized that he will not risk playing unfit players in the pursuit of the trophy.
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