They’re a club that has shown they know how to work the transfer market. But just who will come out on top in this annual Wembley humdinger? That’s what it’s all about, winning trophies.
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Despite being the Premier League’s most successful club, United have struggled to keep pace with their rivals since Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, finishing fifth last season under former boss Louis van Gaal. Whether or not the “Tinkerman” can repeat that sort of feat, he is still – and will always be – a Leicester City great. And how can Leicester replace one-man midfield N’Golo Kante, who has left for Chelsea?
Chris Smalling, one of the two best players in United last season, along with goal-keeper David De Gea, is in doubt because of an ankle injury and will be sorely missed.
While his side came up short, he will have been encouraged by the brightness of their display, three months on from their 5,000-1 Premier League triumph. Zieler’s 148 saves – the second in the German Bundesliga – and Hernandez’s 140 interceptions (highest in the Spanish La Liga) also earned them a move over to Leicester.
The likes of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have thus far resisted admiring glances and Morgan puts that down to a strong group ethic.
Although Ranieri spent four seasons at Stamford Bridge and improved Chelsea’s season-on-season points tally in all four years of his tenure, his second place finish was not deemed good enough by Chelsea’s Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.
“There will be a big difference”, said Ranieri. Ignore the pre-season results and lack of big-name signings.
The Red Devils have strengthened with what was arguably the missing pieces of the puzzle last season. Paul Pogba may yet to have signed on the dotted line, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly have already made their mark in preseason.
Mourinho blamed Fellaini’s mistake on the slowness of the Wembley field. Yes, probably but it’s the first official, real game for Mou and Zlatan Ibrahimovic at United.
Nigeria global Musa, who cost a club-record £16m from CSKA Moscow, had already made a splash in pre-season with his performance against Barcelona and he made an instant impact with his part in Leicester’s equaliser.
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri is expecting something big from his side ahead of the Community Shield against Manchester United. My answer is no and it should start in this match.
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It’s a fresh start for Murinho, who will lead a new team in his fifth Community Shield tournament.
