Community Shield: Looking ahead to Leicester City vs Manchester United
By Sam White
With the extended format of Euro 2016 and a constant buzz of transfer related activity around Old Trafford during the close season, it hardly feels like we’ve had a summer break at all. Yet here we are anticipating the curtain raiser for a new season- the Community Shield at Wembley between Leicester City and Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho became well known for his snappily forceful starts to the season during his first stint at Chelsea, when the Blues would start racking up wins from the get-go, and United fans will be hoping for more of the same now he’s taken up the reigns at Manchester United.
The Community Shield has the air of a cheery day out in the sun sometimes, but it can also offer a chance to lay down a marker for the coming season, and there is no doubt that with all the changes that have taken place at Old Trafford both players and manager will be focused on getting the win.
There have, however, been revealing words from Mourinho, which cast further light on how unsuitable for the position his predecessor Louis Van Gaal was, and which might temper fans’ expectations of an explosive start.
Explaining the extent of the work that needs doing with his squad and the possibility of a gradual acceleration into the new season, Mourinho said:
it’s going to take time to adapt to new solutions
‘The previous manager had different ideas to mine. I am not saying they were wrong, but if you are a right back or a left back and every time you have the ball you think you have to pass to your central defender, it’s going to take time to adapt to new solutions.’
Supporters will be hoping that a respected coach of Mourinho’s quality and drive will be capable of repairing the damage done by Van Gaal, but having spent two years being told not to pass forwards, it’s understandable if players take a little time to recalibrate their footballing instincts.
For the new recruits brought into the squad this summer this won’t be a problem though, and it’s to be expected that Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s unique presence can provide an instant lift. He has that rare ability to raise the performances of the players around him, in a manner almost approaching the profound brilliance of Eric Cantona, and Mourinho will be looking to utilize this to the fullest. There’s also the small matter of Paul Pogba’s surely imminent arrival, but that’s a move to be teased out a little while longer it seems.
With the dynamic potential of new signings Mkhitaryan and Bailly, and the question of how last season’s standout young performers Martial and Rashford will slot into the new mix, there’s a lot to be keeping your eye on today.
It will also be intriguing to discover more as to whether or not senior members of the old guard like Mata and Valencia are earmarked for a central role in Mourinho’s plans.
Finally, let’s enjoy the fact that this year’s match will be played against Leicester City- the most unexpected English champions in living memory. It will be fascinating to see to what extent the Foxes can carry on from where they left off in May, and how manager Claudio Ranieri shuffles his pack to approach a new season.
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Don’t forget that Mourinho was sacked by the Chelsea board last December after losing to Ranieri’s Leicester, and that when Roman Abramovich first took possession of Chelsea thirteen years ago the man let go of to make way for Mourinho was none other than… the talented Mr. Ranieri.
Mourinho has a habit of making his rivalries personal, but for now, the slate is clean and the stage is set.