Man City moved one step closer to a historic Treble after beating bitter rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final… so who will they play in the Community Shield following their win at Wembley?
- Manchester City defeated rivals Man United 2-1 in the FA Cup final on Saturday
- They’ve already won the Premier League and remain on the hunt for the Treble
- But who will they play in the Community Shield following their win at Wembley?
Manchester City clinched their second trophy of the season against Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side have already claimed a third-straight Premier League triumph – with a Champions League final against Inter Milan to come – and have booked their spot in this summer’s Community Shield.
City have lost both of the last two Community Shield games, 3-1 to Liverpool in 2022 and 1-0 to Leicester City the year before. Following their 2-1 victory over Manchester United, their opponent for this year’s game has now been decided.
The Community Shield generally sees the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners go head-to-head. However after yesterday’s result, City have won both.
So, who are they going to play? Mail Sport breaks it down below.
Manchester City are bidding to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup
Ilkay Gundogan scored a brace as Man City made it a domestic double in the FA Cup final
The outcome of Saturday’s game determined who Man City face in the Community Shield
Who will Man City play in the Community Shield?
There were two teams who could play against Manchester City in the Community Shield – depending on the outcome of yesterday’s FA Cup final.
As stated, the Community Shield is generally contested by the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners.
If United had emerged victorious, in turn ending City’s Treble hunt, they would have once again squared off against City in the impending Community Shield.
But since City defeated their rivals to win their second trophy of the season, they will instead face the Premier League runners-up. That, of course, was Arsenal.
The Gunners, who led the Premier League for much of the campaign, ended up finishing on 84 points, five behind City.
Mikel Arteta’s side are expected to challenge again next season, though, and the Community Shield will resemble an early opportunity to test themselves against the champions.
Liverpool are the current holders after they defeated Manchester City 3-1 back in July
When is the Community Shield?
The Community Shield date is yet to be confirmed, but it’s likely to take place on either August 5 or 6.
That’s a week later than last year’s fixture between Liverpool and Manchester City, which took place on Saturday, July 30.
Jurgen Klopp’s side defeated City 3-1 – with goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez.
