City beat United in an FA Cup semifinal in April before going on to end its 35-year trophy drought and Barcelona inflicted a comprehensive defeat on Alex Ferguson’s team in May.
While the Community Shield doesn’t have the same magnitude or prestige, the English season’s traditional curtain raiser is an early chance for the Premier League champions to assert their authority over resurgent City.
The game will be a test for United with the squad recovering from its recent preseason tour of the United States and with some players on international duty, but the stakes are always high when the Manchester rivals meet.
“You couldn’t get better motivation to start the season with a bang,” United striker Wayne Rooney told Four Four Two magazine. “I hadn’t even thought about it until I turned on the TV and someone was talking about potentially the best Community Shield ever. Playing City is the best way to start.”
Ferguson, though, is downplaying the importance of the fixture.
“It’s very easy to get emotional about this type of game,” Ferguson said. “I don’t think we’ll be changing our policy. I’ve always viewed the Community Shield as a stepping stone for the first game of the season and there are two or three players who will need a game (to boost fitness levels).”
Michael Carrick is set to miss the match after picking up a minor Achilles’ injury in retired goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar’s testimonial match on Wednesday.
Mexico striker Javier Hernandez will miss the start of the league season as a precaution after he was hospitalized for a concussion sustained during a training session during the US tour.
“Considering he had a concussion some years ago we are just playing safe with that but he should be back by the end of August,” Ferguson said.
Former United striker Carlos Tevez — last season’s top scorer for City — will be missing Sunday as he recovers from the Copa America.
Offseason recruit Sergio Aguero will be on the bench.
