£35m transfer hole, absent stars – How Man United may line up in Community Shield vs Man City
There are less than two weeks until Manchester United take on Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley. The annual season curtain-raiser is a repeat of the FA Cup final in which United got the better of their arch-enemy, coming out as 2-1 winners back in May
As City won the Premier League and United were victorious in the FA Cup, the two now meet in the Community Shield and Erik ten Hag will be hoping to add another trophy to the cabinet. United last won the competition back in 2016 when a late Zlatan Ibrahimovic strike saw them beat Leicester 2-1.
Although it has only been two months since the FA Cup final, the United side starting at Wembley could look a whole lot different this time around. Despite this, there is one position that is nailed down and that is the goalkeeper area, with Andre Onana set to keep his place as first-choice this season.
Moving to the backline and there could be some change. Diogo Dalot started the FA Cup final but with him not returning for pre-season training yet due to his participation at Euro 2024, Aaron Wan-Bissaka may be handed a chance. That is taking into account whether Wan-Bissaka is still at Old Trafford amid interest from West Ham.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez started as the centre-back pairing in the FA Cup final but there is a likelihood neither of them will play. Varane certainly won’t as he is no longer at the club after his contract expired, while Martinez is still on his holiday after winning the Copa America with Argentina. That could see a partnership of new £52million signing Leny Yoro and Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof or Harry Maguire.
Left-back is an area where United struggled last season with Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw having injury and fitness issues. Although Shaw returned for England at Euro 2024, he – like Martinez and Dalot – has not returned for pre-season training and could miss the Community Shield. As for Malacia, he doesn’t look like he will be fit to play any part against City. That leaves Ten Hag with a major dilemma. He could start Lindelof there or promote any academy graduate into the XI, while signing another left-back is another option. Ferdi Kadioglu is one man that has been linked and he would slot straight into that side, having impressed for Fenerbahce and Turkey, while Sam Murray started both of the pre-season friendlies against Rosenborg and Rangers.
The midfield is another area that United could strengthen. There are still questions about whether Kobbie Mainoo will be back to face City after the Euros, but if he is, he will be one of the two defensive midfielders. Should he miss out then Ten Hag may be looking at starting two of Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay or Casemiro. Manuel Ugarte has been linked with a move to United this summer and if he did move to Old Trafford, he could fill the gaping gap in midfield where they lack quality and legs.
Ahead of them could be Bruno Fernandes, although he is yet to be back in training following Euro 2024. If he doesn’t make it, Ten Hag would likely hand another chance to Mason Mount, who played in that position during the 2-0 win over Rangers. As for the two wingers, Jadon Sancho and Amad could fill those roles with Alejandro Garnacho among the party not to have reported for pre-season just yet, with Antony potentially on the bench. Marcus Rashford will be pushing for a start if deemed fit enough to be involved.
