Manchester United vs. Manchester City Prediction: Community Shield Set for Saturday

• Manchester United qualified for this game by winning the FA Cup final last term

• Manchester City won the Premier League title, hence their participation this weekend

• Manchester City are the favorites but could there be an upset at Wembley Stadium?

Manchester United vs. Manchester City Odds

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Manchester United vs Manchester City Pick

Back Manchester United to lift the trophy. Erik ten Hag’s team beat Manchester City in their last meeting and they can do so again this weekend.

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Manchester City Eye a Fifth Consecutive Premier League Title

Manchester City made history last season when they became the first team in the history of English soccer to win four top-tier titles on the bounce. Arsenal got close, finishing a point shy of the summit of the standings, but City got the job done once more.

Now they have a fifth consecutive crown in their sights. City are still the team to beat in the Premier League and it is hard to shake the feeling that that will continue to be the case for as long as Pep Guardiola is the manager. 

Rivals are trying to find hope in what has been a low-key summer at the Etihad Stadium so far. Savinho, a young Brazilian winger, is the sole signing up to now. Julian Alvarez has departed, so one could argue that City's squad is actually weaker now than it was at the end of the last term.

Perhaps the main question mark is whether this group of players, the core of which have been together for years now, still has the appetite for the grueling fight for the title. Perhaps City will come to prioritize the Champions League, a competition they have won only once.

Still, there is no doubt that City deserve to be considered the leading contenders to win the league. They will be out to reassert their credentials in the Community Shield ahead of a tougher-than-desired opening Premier League fixture against Chelsea next week. Guardiola’s side will also be keen to avenge the FA Cup final defeat by Manchester United.

Manchester United Must Improve in the 2024/25 Season

It is fair to say that victory in the FA Cup final essentially spared Erik ten Hag the sack. The Dutchman seemed to be on the brink of being fired after overseeing Manchester United’s lowest-ever Premier League finish of eighth place. But a tactical masterclass against Manchester City at Wembley earned Ten Hag a stay of execution.

That does not mean he is not still under pressure. United’s hierarchy replaced much of the coaching staff around the manager, a move which does not exactly suggest they were perfectly happy with how things were going. Ruud van Nistelrooy, an iconic former United striker, is one of the new coaches through the door.

If Ten Hag is to last the season, he must get United into the top-four mix in the Premier League. There could be an opening for them. Aston Villa will be distracted by the Champions League. Newcastle United have been constrained by financial rules. Chelsea are still dysfunctional and Liverpool are under new management. United could take advantage.

First, they must show they have learned from their mistakes from last term. Chiefly, United were too easy to play through and too open in midfield. Tightening up in the engine room is essential, but United’s signings have been elsewhere - an attacker in Joshua Zirkzee and a defender in Leny Yoro.

There is still time until the window closes and United will hope to see more activity, but the squad is set for the Community Shield.

Go Against the Sportsbooks and Choose Manchester United

The best online sportsbooks have Manchester City down as pretty strong favorites for this weekend’s clash. There are a few good reasons for that, the most simple of which is that City are a markedly better team than Manchester United. 

Over the course of a 38-game season last time out, City collected 31 more points than their local rivals. In terms of points, United finished closer to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest than they did to City.

Because of their dominance of the Premier League in recent times, City have been regulars in the Community Shield. But their recent record is poor. Guardiola’s men have lost three consecutive editions, suffering defeat by Leicester City in 2021, Liverpool in 2022, and Arsenal in 2023.

That gives United some hope for this weekend. Moreover, City will be without some key players at Wembley. Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, and John Stones, all of whom took part in the final of Euro 2024, will not feature. The starting XI could easily contain a couple of youngsters.

United will not be at full strength either. Rasmus Hojlund, Leny Yoro, and Tyrell Malacia are all sidelined through injury, with Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka doubts. But given City’s track record in the Community Shield and United’s victory in the FA Cup final, Ten Hag’s team will not be fearful.

Winning in 90 minutes could be difficult, so hedge your bets by backing United to lift the trophy - that allows a win in extra time or on penalties.

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How to Watch Manchester United vs. Manchester City

• Teams: Manchester United vs Manchester City

• Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England

• Date and Time: Saturday, August 10 at 10.00 AM ET 

• How to Watch: ESPN+