Predicting Manchester United's Community Shield Starting XI

David Moyes might have been frustrated in his attempts to add to his squad his summer, but United's new manager still has plenty of options ahead of the Community Shield clash with Wigan on Sunday.

With the talking nearly over and the season about to start, a United manager is preparing to name his first team for the first time since Alex Ferguson did the same against Oxford in November 1986.

Moyes is sweating on the fitness of Jonny Evans and Nani, who both picked up knocks during the 1-1 draw with AIK on Tuesday. He also has concerns over Wayne Rooney—both on and off the pitch—after a shoulder injury kept the England striker out of the latest friendly, and he'll have to juggle his players carefully ahead of the game at Wembley with a full squad expected to take part in Friday's testimonial for Rio Ferdinand.

David De Gea established himself as United's No. 1 last season, and if he's fit, there's no reason to believe that won't be the same under Moyes, starting with Wigan on Sunday. 

Rafael was also greatly improved last season while Patrice Evra, despite interest in Leighton Baines, is still the first-choice left-back for now.

United are well stocked at centre-half, but Moyes could go with Nemanja Vidic and Phil Jones at Wembley. Ferdinand is likely to play 90 minutes in his own testimonial and Evans is an injury doubt, although Chris Smalling is in contention to start.

Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley may start in the centre of midfield with Ashley Young and Wilfried Zaha on either side. Zaha, in particular, has looked sharp during preseason, and the 20-year-old former Crystal Palace winger is in line for a competitive debut.

What Moyes does with his strikers is open to debate. 

At Everton, he often played with a lone striker with a man behind. Even without Rooney, he could do that on Sunday with Robin van Persie up front with Danny Welbeck playing in the hole behind. 

After six preseason games, and with Ferdinand's testimonial to come, the Community Shield will provide the first real clues as to what Moyes' blueprint is for the new season.

All eyes are still on the clock counting down to the end of the transfer window on September 2. But for now, United's new manager has got to work with what he's got.

DAVID Moyes might have been frustrated in his attempts to add to his squad his summer but United's new manager still has plenty of options ahead of the Community Shield clash with Wigan on Sunday.

 

With the talking nearly over, and the season about to start, a United manager is preparing to name his first team for the first time since Alex Ferguson did the same against Oxford in November 1986.

 

Moyes is sweating on the fitness of Jonny Evans and Nani, who both picked up knocks during the 1-1 draw with AIK on Tuesday. He also has concerns over Wayne Rooney – both on and off the pitch – after a shoulder injury kept the England striker out of the latest friendly, and he'll have to juggle his players carefully ahead of the game at Wembley with a full squad expected to take part in Friday's testimonial for Rio Ferdinand.

 

David De Gea established himself as United No.1 last season and, if he's fit, there's no reason to believe that won't be base under Moyes, starting with Wigan on Sunday. 

 

Rafael was also greatly improved last season while Patrice Evra, despite interest in Leighton Baines, is still the first-choice left-back for now.

 

United are well-stocked at centre-half but Moyes could go with Nemanja Vidic and Phil Jones at Wembley. Ferdinand is likely to play 90 minutes in his own testimonial and Evans is an injury doubt, although Chris Smalling is in contention to start.

 

Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley may start in the centre of midfield with Ashley Young and Wilfried Zaha either side. Zaha, in particular, has looked sharp during pre-season and the 20-year-old former Crystal Palace winger is in line for a competitive debut.

 

What Moyes does with his strikers is open to debate. 

 

At Everton, he often played with a lone striker with a man behind. Even without Rooney, he could do that on Sunday with Robin van Persie up front with Danny Welbeck playing in the hole behind. 

 

After six pre-season games, and with Ferdinand's testimonial to come, the Community Shield will provide the first real clues as to what Moyes's blueprint is for the new season.

 

All eyes are still on the clock counting down to the end of the transfer window on September 2. But for now, United's new manager has got to work with what's he's got.