Manchester City and Manchester United are set to add another page to their storied rivalry when the two sides meet on Saturday at the Wembley Stadium in the FA Community Shield final. This will be the 194th time the neighbours meet, and the memory of their last encounter is still fresh in the minds of both sets of fans.
It was May 25, 2024, the FA Cup final. Pep Guardiola had led Manchester City to a historic fourth consecutive English Premier League title, a feat unmatched by any other team in the top tier. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United had endured a challenging season, finishing eighth in the league. Despite the contrasting fortunes, the final was a thrilling encounter that showcased the raw talent and resilience of the Red Devils.
Teenage sensations Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo were the heroes for United, scoring goals that secured a 2-1 victory and handed ten Hag a much-needed boost. Garnacho’s first goal was a moment of brilliance, capitalizing on a defensive error by City’s Josko Gvardiol. Mainoo’s strike, a curling effort past City’s goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, doubled United’s lead and cemented their victory.
Erling Haaland, City’s prolific striker, came close to scoring for his team, but his thunderous shot rattled the upright. While City mounted a late comeback attempt through Jeremy Doku’s goal in the 87th minute, it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.
The Community Shield final presents a chance for both teams to start the new season with a trophy and claim bragging rights over their arch-rivals. The match promises to be a fiercely contested battle filled with passion, skill, and drama, as both teams strive for victory in front of a packed Wembley Stadium.
