EtH labels Community Shield 'friendly" as football returns

United boss Erik ten Hag has labelled Saturday's Community Shield clash with fierce rivals Manchester City as a "friendly" - as the Red Devils bid to win the competition for the first time in eight years.

The new season gets underway on Saturday afternoon with the traditional campaign curtain-raiser at Wembley (though, in England, the Football League Championship will already be underway!).

In a repeat of May's FA Cup final, ten Hag will hope to win a third trophy in the Old Trafford managerial hot seat, though his injury-hit charges start as underdogs against their cross-city rivals.

However, ten Hag has potentially played down the importance of the clash, by labelling it a "friendly".

The Dutchman said: "So we always want to win, also in all the friendlies

"And this is about a trophy, so we will put out a team that is very competitive to win this trophy.

"But it's also pre-season, we don't go into big risks with players. I think it's a normal approach into this game."

The importance clubs, fans and the football community attach to the fixture can certainly vary.

At ManUtdWeb Towers, it's a worthwhile piece of silverware, a great chance to add another trophy to the honours board and an opportunity to deliver a statement of intent ahead of the new season. Winning it is definitely something to celebrate.

Recognition of the Shield varies. When Manchester City won the domestic treble for the first time ever, they perhaps missed the chance to market this unique achievement by instead branding the trophy haul as a "quadruple" and lumping in the Community Shield. Chelsea is another club who've gone big on marketing their success in the competition before.

However, some within the game care a little less. When United and Portsmouth drew 0-0 in the 2008 Community Shield, hoards of United fans sadly didn't even bother to stay for the penalty shoot-out. Empty seats at matches, and unsold tickets, are also not uncommon - though the Red Army ensure a strong turnout.

The Football Association recognises the match as a competitive super cup, and appearances and goals log on a player's record - unlike friendlies. It's the real deal, and United - a shade over 2/1 on Betfair Exchange to life the trophy - should go all out for another honour.

But United's hopes could be hit by having as few as three regular defenders fit for the clash - with a raft of the team's backline currently in the treatment room.

Jonny Evans and Lisandro Martinez are expected to start at centre-half, with Diego Dalot at full-back. Harry Amass could make his senior debut too, while injury doubt Harry Maguire may yet be deemed fit enough to play some part in the game.

The game follows five pre-season friendlies for United's first team; a somewhat more sensible summer campaign than the gruelling tours we have seen in some, though not all, of United's campaigns in fairly recent history. United beat Rangers and Real Betis, but lost to Rosenberg, Arsenal and Liverpool.

United are making their first appearance in the competition since 2016, when the Red Devils beat Leicester City 2-1.

City's dominance of English domestic football means they are a regular fixture in the Shield. Saturday's game will be their sixth Shield appearance in seven appearances - though Pep Guardiola's men have lost three on the bounce, against Arsenal, Liverpool and Leicester.

Bring on United.