Four Manchester City stars ruled out of Manchester United clash by Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has ruled out for Manchester City stars as they take on Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After concluding their pre-season tour, Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United squad has returned to the United Kingdom to finalize their preparations for the 2024/25 season.

Key players like Lisandro Martínez, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo missed pre-season due to their participation in the 2024 European Championships and Copa America. They have now rejoined the team at Carrington after extended breaks.

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As United gear up for the new season, which kicks off with a home fixture against Fulham at Old Trafford, they are also set to face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday, August 10.

Despite contrasting Premier League campaigns last season, United claimed a memorable 2-1 victory over City in the FA Cup final. Pep Guardiola has now ruled out for of City’s key players for the fixture, handing a big boost to Ten Hag’s men.

When asked about the fitness of his squad and the players returning from international duty, Guardiola confirmed that English trio Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Phil Foden, who have all played vital parts in City’s successes, will not play.

Further, he also confirmed that Spanish midfielder Rodri, who many see as one of the most important parts of City’s XI, will also not return to the club until next week, thus ruling him out of the tie.

This will add some extra intrigue to the selections of both managers after it was confirmed that Ten Hag would be without Rasmus Højlund and Leny Yoro for the Wembley trip as both players face sustained periods out of action.

Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf, Luke Shaw, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who will be assessed before the game, are also doubts.

However, Ten Hag did confirm that Martínez is in contention to play, while new signing Joshua Zirkzee will likely get his first minutes of action as a Red.

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