Community Shield preview

Watch Man City v Man Utd live on SSHD1 & in 3D this Sunday

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 5th August 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Community Shield preview

Ferguson and Mancini will lock horns at Wembley on Sunday

Sky Bet odds: Man City 21/10 Draw 12/5 Man Utd 5/4

Opta stat: Should he play, this will be Ryan Giggs' 14th appearance in the Community Shield. Since his debut for the Red Devils, he has appeared in all but one of United's appearances in the competition, missing out only in 1999.

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Old adversaries Manchester City and Manchester United will whet the appetite for the new Premier League season when they meet in the Community Shield.

The traditional curtain-raiser to the season will see two of the sides expected to lead the top flight title charge in 2011/12 go head-to-head at Wembley.

Local pride and silverware will be at stake on Sunday, while both teams will want to put down an early marker ahead of what promises to be a hugely competitive campaign.

Victory in the Community Shield is no guarantee of league success, though, with only seven of the previous 19 winners having gone on to take the Premier League crown.

That said, five of the last six campaigns have seen the team that lifts the first trophy of the domestic season also pick up the biggest prize of all.

Manchester United are well versed when it comes to Community Shield contests, having competed in 14 of the previous 19 in the Premier League era, whereas City are making their first appearance on this stage since 1973.

City may be a little rusty when it comes to opening the campaign at Wembley, but they do know what it takes to beat their local rivals at the home of English football - having secured a 1-0 win over the Red Devils in the FA Cup semi-finals back in April.

There is every chance Sunday's encounter will be equally as tight, with three of the last four Community Shields having been settled by a penalty shoot-out.

City and United do usually produce a result, however, with only one of their last 14 meetings in all competitions ending in a draw.

Tevez missing

Manchester City will be without Carlos Tevez this weekend, having granted him an extended break.

The Argentine striker, who has spent much of the summer trying to secure a move away from Eastlands, is not due back at training until Monday.

His absence could pave the way for his fellow countryman Sergio Aguero to make his bow for the Blues.

City have spent big on the former Atletico Madrid frontman and he could get an early opportunity to start repaying his £38million transfer fee.

Fellow summer recruits Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic could also figure at Wembley, as Roberto Mancini is expected to name a strong starting XI.

Fergie to rotate

His opposite number, Sir Alex Ferguson, may decide to rest a number of his stars ahead of the start of the new Premier League season.

Manchester United have had a busy pre-season, including a game against the New York Cosmos on Friday, and will be wary of asking too much of their key men.

There is, however, every chance that big-money arrivals Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea will play some part against City.

Ferguson has confirmed that he will definitely be without three senior stars on Sunday.

Michael Carrick is nursing a tight Achilles, Rafael picked up a slight knock in a clash with Barcelona last weekend and Javier Hernandez is still two to three weeks away from a return after suffering a concussion during United's recent tour of the United States.