4-2-3-1 Man United’s predicted line up vs Man City – Community Shield: Zirkzee and Amad start but 4 defenders out injured?

The Premier League is set to kick off later this month, but before the season begins in earnest, there will be a curtain-raiser this weekend when Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United face Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley.

Unlike previous transfer windows, Manchester United have significantly ramped up their efforts this summer, securing several key players with minimal fuss. However, there’s still work to be done, and it’s expected that United will finalize a few more signings by the end of the month.

While the outcome of Saturday’s Manchester Derby may not carry much weight, for Ten Hag, it represents an excellent chance to test and refine his tactics ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Manchester United’s Team News for the Community Shield:

Last season, Ten Hag was plagued by injuries, and unfortunately, the situation hasn’t improved much. United will be missing several key players this weekend, including Rasmus Hojlund and new summer signing Leny Yoro, who are both sidelined with injuries.

Yoro is expected to be out for approximately three months, and to make matters worse, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw are all doubts for the weekend.

“Harry Maguire missed the game [against Liverpool last weekend] as a precaution but is still a question mark for Saturday,” Ten Hag mentioned, according to *The Guardian*.

“We have training, and we need to see whether he is fit enough or not to be available. Victor played but is also a question mark, and both Azza [Wan-Bissaka] and Luke Shaw are question marks – we need to assess them tomorrow.”

With these defensive injuries, Ten Hag might have to rely on Jonny Evans and Lisandro Martinez as the central defensive pair, with youngster Harry Amass possibly featuring at left-back.

Kobbie Mainoo joined the training camp later than others, so he might not be ready to play the full 90 minutes. However, he is expected to start alongside Casemiro in central midfield, likely playing about 60 minutes before being replaced by Mason Mount.

Alejandro Garnacho, who had an extended break due to international duty, is expected to start on the bench, with Amad Diallo getting the nod to start due to his impressive form in pre-season. It would be unfair to bench Amad given his performances leading up to this match.

With Hojlund injured, summer signing Joshua Zirkzee is expected to lead the line. While Ten Hag has mentioned that Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes could fill the role of striker, it’s likely that Zirkzee will be the one playing as the centre-forward.

Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City – Community Shield:

**Goalkeeper:** Onana.

**Defenders:** Evans, Dalot, Harry Amass, Martinez.

**Midfielders:** Casemiro, Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes.

**Attackers:** Rashford, Amad, Zirkzee.