Pre Match: Manchester City Vs Manchester United

Pre Match:  Manchester City Vs Manchester United

F.A. Community Shield 2011-12

The Wembley, London, England

The eminent Wembley stadium will once more, be painted Red and Blue within a span of two games. The semi-finalist will now meet for the curtain raiser of the start of another dramatic premier league season.  It has been nearly fifty five years since these two sides played against each other for the Community Shield - United edged out City in that one (1-0). Post F.A cup victory, United can no longer be complacent, as City is looking “to knock them of their perch”. There will not be any radical change in the table, but as Sir Alex Ferguson said, it will merely indicate the preparation of the both the teams venturing into the first game of the season.

However, it does emphasize that power in Premier League may have shifted to Manchester. United may not have the aura of invincibility, yet, the Defending Champions remain the team to defeat. With City’s another shopping spree in summer they are fast catching up on other contenders and perhaps, may have surpassed a few of them with the depth of their squad. They should definitely start building a trophy room not only because their supporters believe they can challenge the title, but in Mancini they have Manager who has won trophies before. Whether they last entire season will be seen.  Manchester United, after Ronaldo’s departure, would have a classic 4-4-2 formation and maybe recreate a squad equivalent to the ’92 –‘93 season.

Further, fans and pundits still argue that they lack a genuine creative midfielder.  The close of the summer transfer window would decide the relevance of this argument. With the entry of Young in the team, they have a back-up for Nani and an improved set-piece taker. Jones will strengthen the defence.  Both teams set off into the game with very fine conclusion to pre-season friendly with city being more noisy and dramatic of the two from Manchester.

I must admit: I couldn’t think of any other apposite game than a Manchester derby for the commencement of another epic season.

Let the play begin.

Medical Room:

Manchester United:  J.Hernandez  (Concussion ), Rafael ( knock) , Carrick ( Achilles )

Manchester City:  J.Boateng (Knee ) Toure and Richards maybe doubtful to start.

Probable XI:

Manchester City:  (4-3-2-1)  Hart,Richards, Kompany, Lescott ,kolorov ,Toure , Dejong,Barry,Silva,Dzeko, Balotelli

Manchester United: (4-4-2) De Gea,Fabio,Ferdinand ,Vidic, Evra,Valencia,Fletcher,Cleverly,Young , Berbatov, Rooney