The Community Shield marks the start of the domestic season in England as Premier League champions Manchester City meet arch rivals Manchester United, reigning FA Cup winners, at Wembley on Saturday.
Both clubs have stumbled getting their feet under them on preseason tours in the United States, as they split four defeats evenly between them.
These two sides also made significant transfer moves in the summer, with Man United bringing in youngsters Lenny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, while Man City offloaded Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid.
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Interestingly, only one of the last 13 Community Shield winners have failed to win the Premier League title, with only Man City in 2018 securing the fall curtain-raiser while going on to win the league crown.
Man United vs. Man City prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Draw (+340)
- Score prediction: Man United 2-2 Man City
- Best bet: Man United double chance (+130)
Neither of these teams had a terribly positive preseason, with defeats and injuries leaving the two Manchester clubs coming into the season with questions to answer.
While Man City are built as a season-long powerhouse and should still prove such a force in Premier League play, they have struggled to be equally as unbeatable in knockout competitions, especially against Man United.
In their last seven domestic knockout matches against Man City between the FA Cup and EFL Cup dating back to 2016, Man United have won three of them, a surprising return given the gulf in overall talent and accomplishments between these two teams in recent years.
| DraftKings (USA) |
|
| Man United win | +370 |
| Draw | +340 |
| Man City win | -180 |
| Both teams to score |
Y: -175 N: +135 |
| Over / Under 3.5 goals |
O: +115 U: -165 |
| Man City to lift the trophy |
-285 |
| Man United to lift the trophy |
+205 |
Man United vs. Man City match facts
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. local (10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT)
- Location: Wembley Stadium (London, England)
- Referee: Jarred Gillett*, VAR: Peter Bankes
- Last meeting: Man City 1-2 Man United (May 25, 2024 | FA Cup final)
* John Brooks was originally assigned to officiate the 2024 Community Shield but was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Man United vs. Man City best bet
- Pick: Over 3.5 total goals
- Odds: +115 (DraftKings)
It's hard to draw too many conclusions from preseason matches, but these teams have both been incredibly leaky at the back in their warmup friendlies.
Manchester United conceded multiple goals to Arsenal, Real Betis, and Liverpool in their final three friendlies in the United States, while Man City coughed up multiple goals to all four of their preseason opponents, including defeats to Celtic and AC Milan.
Both teams missed key players in the preseason friendlies, but those players are either still out or only just returning and likely lack sharpness. United finished last season with injury issues and are still suffering from that a bit, including the absence of new defensive signing Leny Yoro for a few months.
Man United vs. Man City prop bet
- Pick: Marcus Rashford to score or assist
- Odds: +210 (FanDuel)
- Pick: Marcus Rashford 3+ total shots
- Odds: +270 (FanDuel)
With Rasmus Hojlund missing due to injury and new signing Joshua Zirkzee yet to see the field for the Red Devils, Marcus Rashford is the current starting striker for Manchester United and has performed well in preseason. Rashford is one of the streakiest players in the Premier League, and he will be itching to make the most of his unexpected summer off after being left out of the England squad for Euro 2024.
Rashford scored and assisted goals against Real Betis and got three shots off in his 45 minutes against Liverpool, so he looks ready to fight for his place.
Man City, meanwhile, look exceedingly porous in defense through preseason. While that's not necessarily a harbinger of a regression for the season on the whole, it does indicate a weakness in the current form and Man United should be able to find the net, with Rashford likely to get on the end of one.
Man United vs. Man City live stream, TV channel
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | Sportsnet channels | Sportsnet Now |
| UK | ITV1, STV | ITVX, STV Player |
This match will stream exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States. ESPN lost the broadcast rights to EFL matches this coming season to CBS Sports, but they still retain the rights to FA competitions, including the Community Shield and the FA Cup.
Domestically in the UK, this match will be televised on ITV1 in England and STV in Scotland, with ITVX and STV Player the respective streaming providers.