Manchester United and Manchester City are set to clash in the FA Community Shield final, a match that promises to be a thrilling continuation of their intense rivalry. The Red Devils emerged victorious in the FA Cup final last season, ending City’s dominance and adding another chapter to their storied history. The upcoming clash will see both teams eager to claim bragging rights at the start of the new season.
Manchester United has extended veteran defender Jonny Evans’ contract for another year. The 36-year-old Northern Irishman played a key role in the team’s FA Cup triumph and will continue to provide valuable experience for the squad.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expressed his excitement for the upcoming season, citing the club’s strengthened football hierarchy and recent FA Cup victory as key factors. He believes the new structure will elevate the team’s performance and enhance their ability to compete for titles. The club is also actively addressing defensive issues and preparing for pre-season.
Manchester City takes on Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday, May 28th at 10:00 a.m. ET. The match will be broadcast live exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States.
If you live in the United States, there’s only one way to watch City vs United: ESPN+. There’s no free trial, and it costs either $11 per month by itself or $15 per month for a special bundle of ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+.
If you’re outside of the United States and don’t want to deal with international live-stream options, you can use a virtual private network (VPN) to access ESPN+ from pretty much anywhere in the world. NordVPN is perfect for this, as it’s reliable, fast and easy to use.
Jack Grealish returned from injury for Manchester City in March and has played a key role in their push for a treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles. The 28-year-old midfielder has started the last two games, both emphatic wins over former club Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, and played a starring role in the 4-2 win at Selhurst Park. Grealish, who joined City from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021 for a fee of £100 million, has spoken about the importance of mentality in football and how he tries to stay focused on the next game. He also revealed that he no longer has a Twitter account because he doesn’t want to read negative comments about himself.
Liverpool’s hopes of a historic quadruple were dashed following Jurgen Klopp’s announcement that he would depart at the end of the season. The Reds had been in a strong position to challenge for all four major trophies, but their form has nosedived since the news of Klopp’s departure was made public. Liverpool have lost four games in a row, including defeats to Manchester United, Arsenal, and Crystal Palace. They have also been eliminated from the Europa League and are now unlikely to win the Premier League or the FA Cup. The announcement of Klopp’s departure has clearly had a destabilizing effect on the squad, with some players reportedly considering their futures at the club. It remains to be seen how Liverpool will cope without Klopp, but their hopes of a successful season are now hanging in the balance.
Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, will be looking to bounce back in the title race when they travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday, April 25. Pep Guardiola’s side, fresh off their FA Cup semi-final victory over Chelsea, will be eager to close the gap on Arsenal and Liverpool, who currently hold a narrow lead at the top of the table.
Erik ten Hag finds himself on shaky ground amid Manchester United’s dismal season. With no top-four finish in sight and disappointing performances in cup competitions, his position is under threat. British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently acquired a minority stake in the club, is actively seeking a replacement for Ten Hag. Zinedine Zidane, the former Real Madrid manager, is reportedly high on Ratcliffe’s shortlist due to his impressive track record, including three consecutive Champions League titles.
Manchester United faced a tough challenge against struggling Sheffield United, requiring a second-half brace from Bruno Fernandes to secure a victory. Despite leading twice, the Red Devils allowed their opponents to equalize, highlighting ongoing issues and casting doubt on Erik ten Hag’s future with the club. Despite strong performances from Sheffield United’s goalkeeper and a costly error from United’s keeper, Fernandes’ goals and a late strike from Rasmus Hojlund ultimately sealed the win for the home team.
In a thrilling FA Cup semifinal match at Wembley Stadium, Manchester United escaped with a narrow 4-2 victory over second-tier Coventry City in a penalty shootout. Despite a 3-0 lead in the 58th minute, the Red Devils conceded three goals in the final 20 minutes before eventually prevailing in the shootout. United’s win sets up a second consecutive Manchester derby in the FA Cup final against defending champions Manchester City. While the Red Devils are struggling in the Premier League, an FA Cup triumph could salvage their disappointing season and could influence the club’s decision on manager Erik ten Hag’s future.
