FA Community Shield - Chelsea vs Manchester United

Formerly known as the Charity Shield, The FA Community Shield is the traditional curtain-raiser to the domestic season between the League and FA Cup Champions.

The 2007 Community Shield match will return to Wembley Stadium. The game will be played tomorrow (5 August, 20007) between FA Cup winners Chelsea and on Premier League champions Manchester United.




Chelsea beat Manchester United in the last Community Shield game at Wembley in 2000.

Dutch duo Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mario Melchiot scored either side of the break to give the Blues a 2-0 victory.

Both the teams will like to begin the season on a winning note and it’s sure to be an exciting game this time around.

Although Sir Alex Ferguson has signed three new players, Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson, with another to come in Carlos Tevez at some point early next week, none is likely to be in the Premier League champions' starting line-up.

Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs are expected to spearhead United's attack as they look for revenge after losing the FA Cup final to Jose Mourinho's men at the same venue in May.

Chelsea are without Michael Ballack and Wayne Bridge (both ankle) and Salomon Kalou (knee).
Arjen Robben and Frank Lampard are both available along with England left-back Ashley Cole.
Didier Drogba will lead a three-man attack with Joe Cole and Florent Malouda.

Teams:

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Bardsley, Pique, Simpson, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Silvestre, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher, O'Shea, Carrick, Eagles, Giggs, Rooney.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, A Cole, Diarra, Sidwell, Essien, Lampard, Robben, Mikel, Malouda, J Cole, Drogba, Shevchenko, Ben Haim, Pizarro, Terry, Carvalho.

Referee: Mark Halsey
Assistants: Darren Cann and Martin Yerby
Fourth Official: Chris Foy

Liverpool are the current Shield holders after beating rivals Chelsea 2-1 in Cardiff last year.