Community Shield: Manchester United's Ten Hag Riding High, City's Goalkeeper Position a Potential Liability

As the Premier League prepares to kick off next week, the traditional curtain-raiser, the Community Shield, offers a tantalizing preview of what’s to come. Manchester City enters the new season having accomplished the unprecedented feat of winning four consecutive Premier League titles. In stark contrast, Manchester United experienced a historic low, finishing eighth in the league—a far cry from the heights of the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Yet, Erik ten Hag found redemption in the final match of last season, guiding United to a 2-1 victory over City at Wembley, shattering their dreams of a domestic double and securing a Europa League spot ahead of Chelsea.

Under Ferguson, such an achievement might have been met with lukewarm reception, but in today's hyper-competitive Premier League, Ten Hag’s ability to lead United to back-to-back trophies is a significant feat. Remarkably, Ten Hag is the first Manchester United manager since Ferguson to achieve this. If he can guide United to victory in the Community Shield, he will match José Mourinho's trophy tally of three and become one of the most successful post-Ferguson managers at Old Trafford.

Last season, the Manchester clubs met three times—twice in the league and once in the FA Cup final. During their Premier League encounters, City were in formidable form, leaving United with little chance. In the first league meeting, City ran out 3-0 winners, dominating every aspect of the game. The second clash saw United take a surprise lead through Marcus Rashford, but City soon took control, ultimately winning 3-1. Phil Foden emerged as a key figure during these fixtures, solidifying his role as a core part of City’s future.

In the previous season, Foden and Erling Haaland had both scored hat-tricks against United, with Foden offering a match ball to Haaland as a keepsake—an act that Haaland accepted with some reluctance, only after Kevin De Bruyne’s intervention. However, Foden’s performances last season have demonstrated that he is now more than capable of stepping up in crucial moments, arguably even more so than Haaland. While Haaland remains the Premier League’s top scorer, his aura of invincibility has diminished somewhat. Opponents' defenders no longer regard him with the same level of fear, and his increasing injury troubles underscore the immense physical toll of playing in the Premier League.

Josko Gvardiol has also felt the Premier League's physical demands. Having made his name as a central defender at the Qatar World Cup, Gvardiol has found himself deployed as a left-back at Manchester City—a position he has struggled to adapt to. His discomfort was evident during the FA Cup final when Manchester United scored their first goal, a calamity created through a mix-up between Gvardiol and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. A long ball was played into City’s defensive third, and Gvardiol, not realizing that Ortega had come off his line, headed the ball back over the keeper's head, allowing Alejandro Garnacho to slot into an empty net.

Ortega was equally at fault, as he should have committed to challenging Garnacho for the aerial ball if he had already ventured outside his penalty area. Instead, Ortega hesitated, leaving Gvardiol unsure of his intentions, which led to the disastrous headed back-pass. Manchester United's second goal also originated from Gvardiol’s left side. He failed to close down the crosser effectively, and Ortega was beaten by Hannibal Mejbri's straightforward shot, which was placed directly at the keeper but somehow evaded his grasp. It's fair to say that Gvardiol and Ortega were the key culprits in City’s FA Cup defeat.

Manchester United has strengthened its squad during the summer transfer window, with fans eagerly anticipating the contributions of new signings like Xavi Simons and Joshua Zirzkee. In contrast, Manchester City has had a relatively quiet summer, with the impending departure of Julián Álvarez to Atlético Madrid drawing more attention than any incoming transfers. While the deal has yet to be finalized, it seems almost certain that Álvarez will be leaving, raising concerns about City’s attacking depth.

With Simons sidelined due to injury, veteran Jonny Evans is likely to start for United, while City’s goalkeeper Ederson is also nursing a minor injury. This leaves the door open for Ortega to start between the sticks once again, a prospect that might leave City fans with their hearts in their mouths. Given the recent history, United may well have a chance to capitalize on any defensive lapses, especially if Ortega is in goal.

Manchester United is expected to play with a solid tactical approach, aiming to exploit any vulnerabilities in City's defense. On the other hand, Pep Guardiola may opt to reserve some of his key players for the Premier League opener against Chelsea next week, potentially giving United a slight edge in this clash.

While both teams will undoubtedly aim to win, the strategic focus for City might be on the bigger picture—their Premier League defense. In contrast, Ten Hag and his United side will be eager to add another trophy to their cabinet, further establishing the Dutchman’s growing legacy at Old Trafford. The Community Shield may not carry the same weight as other trophies, but for Manchester United, it represents an opportunity to make a statement and build momentum ahead of the new season.

With Ten Hag on the brink of matching Mourinho’s trophy haul, and City’s goalkeeper situation potentially vulnerable, the stage is set for an intriguing battle at Wembley. The outcome could set the tone for the season ahead, especially with the Premier League kicking off just days later. As both sets of fans eagerly anticipate this encounter, one thing is certain—the 2024/25 season is already brimming with narratives waiting to unfold.