Manchester City’s 2024/25 Premier League preparations confirmed after Wembley Stadium clash announced | OneFootball

Manchester City will launch their domestic campaign with an FA Community Shield clash against local rivals Manchester United in August.

Pep Guardiola’s side will begin their Premier League title defence away to Chelsea in west London in mid-August, but will officially kick-off their domestic campaign in the capital with the FA Community Shield earlier that month.

Manchester City, who have won the FA Community Shield on five previous occasions, qualified for the annual fixture by winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title last month, beating West Ham at the Etihad Stadium to lift the trophy for a sixth time in seven years.

The Sky Blues will face local Manchester United in the match, after Erik ten Hag’s side beat Manchester City 1-2 in the Emirates FA Cup Final in May, as first-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo secured a surprise victory.

Manchester City suffered a penalty shoot-out loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield fixture last year, after Cole Palmer’s goal was cancelled out by Leandro Trossard in the 11th minute of additional time.

Guardiola’s side last won the Community Shield in 2019, beating Liverpool 4-5 on penalties to win at Wembley Stadium.

Manchester City will face Manchester United in the 2024 edition of the FA Community Shield on Saturday 10 August, with kick-off at 15:00 (BST) and available to watch on ITV, the Football Association have announced.

The match will be the 194th Manchester derby, and confirms Manchester City’s pre-season plans, with Guardiola’s side set to play five matches before their Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues will travel to the United States for a four-match tour next month, with friendlies against Celtic, AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea all scheduled to take place across America.

Manchester City’s matches are due to take place in North Carolina, New York, Florida and Ohio, with Guardiola’s squad then returning to east Manchester ahead of the FA Community Shield fixture.

The 2024/25 campaign could be Guardiola’s last at the Etihad Stadium, with the 53-year-old out of contract at Manchester City at the end of next season.