Man City will have an unusual new look for Manchester United revenge mission

Manchester City’s domestic curtain raiser is a little over seven weeks away but the starting XI for the mouthwatering Community Shield derby with Manchester United might have a different look.

Pep Guardiola will have to juggle his squad given so many of his players are on international duty this summer. City have 14 players at the European Championship, the most of any club, while Julian Alvarez is on Copa America duty with Argentina.

It means many City players will be returning to club duty in late July. Several will likely join the pre season tour late as Guardiola and his staff manage fitness and rest. As a result, the Wembley date with United on August 10 could see City relying on a different core.

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Those players not involved in tournament football this summer will be at the fore with Erling Haaland leading the charge. Norway failed to qualify for Euro 2024 and as such City will hope he’s fit and firing to start the season with a bang. His compatriot Oscar Bobb is also likely to start against United and could once again showcase his undeniable talent.

Jack Grealish was left out of the England squad and will be eager to make the most of his summer of opportunity with City. The midfielder suffered a stop-start season last term and will be keen to force his way back into Guardiola’s first-choice XI.

Rico Lewis is another England international who City can call upon for the Community Shield. The versatile academy graduate slipped down the pecking order a tad last term but will have a chance to stake a claim in pre-season. The 20-year-old is highly rated at the Etihad and has already proven he has the capabilities to be a City mainstay in the future.

Together with Grealish, Bobb and Haaland, he will be one-quarter of an unlikely spine come the Community Shield. All four varying reasons for motivation and all four will seek to exact an element of revenge on United following the FA Cup final defeat.