[rondwisan]

05/08/2011 09:14 - ManUtd.com, Adam Marshall
Man City v United


Manchester's two teams could dominate this season and this is the first test...

Form guide
Little should be read into pre-season friendlies but both teams have looked pretty sharp. City won the Dublin Super Cup by beating Inter Milan while United defeated Barcelona to end the US tour with a 100 percent record.

Ins and outs
Michael Carrick and Javier Hernandez have been ruled out and Darren Fletcher is set to follow suit, although he's back in training. Antonio Valencia is recovering well from his Copa America injury while Rafael is not quite over the knock he sustained against Barca. Sir Alex has a choice in goal with David De Gea and Anders Lindegaard battling it out for the jersey. City will have new signing Sergio Aguero on the bench but Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta have been allowed more time off following their equally busy summers.

Last meeting
A dismal day out at Wembley as City took the spoils in the FA Cup semi-final and took a major step towards ending their trophy drought. United started well but missed chances and Yaya Toure capitalised on a mistake to score the only goal of the game. Even after Paul Scholes was sent off, Nani was still close to forcing extra time but the Blues held out.

Top man
Sergio Aguero is an exciting new signing for the blue half of Manchester but David Silva could be the man to make City tick. A creative spark with real flair, as he now has a season of Premier League football under his belt, more is expected from the Spain international this time around. The waspish figure was in good form during the pre-season and will be a threat at Wembley.

Quote/unquote
"It [this Community Shield] is a tasty one of course because it is the two Manchester clubs coming up against each other." Assistant manager Mike Phelan.

Any sub-plots?
The Blue Moon rising and growing belief that City will be a major threat in all competitions this season following their lavish spending. Having shaken the trophy monkey off their backs, picking up another piece of silverware at the expense of their greatest rivals would be a real confidence booster for the Eastlands outfit. This Community Shield will be fought for with extra intensity.

Whistle-blower
Phil Dowd is the man in the middle. Some Reds still haven't forgotten his failure to send off Jamie Carragher for his shocking lunge at Nani at Anfield last term but he was in charge when the title was clinched at Blackburn and awarded the penalty, after consulting his assistant, that was duly despatched by Wayne Rooney.

Did you know?
United are going for number 19 again - in terms of winning or sharing the Shield - and beat City in the clubs' only previous meeting in the competition back in 1956. Dennis Viollett got the winner at Old Trafford.