It’s time for the traditional showpiece curtain-raiser to the English season, the Community Shield and who would have thought that Leicester City would be involved in it! Even if anyone considered it as a possibility would likely have thought it would have come as a result of a dream FA Cup run and eventually going all the way. But, no, Leicester City’s place in the Community shield is not the result of a few straight wins in a Cup competition. They were the undisputed best side in English football for nine long months and 38 games to become 5,000 to 1 Champions.
It was simply a fairy tale but now is the time when the Foxes can build on the success they earned last season or can prove that it was a total fluke. The Foxes had a poor pre-season needing penalties to win against Celtic and conceding eight goals against Barcelona and PSG combined. They will be up against a much improved Manchester United side from last season having Jose Mourinho on the touchline. However, it will be wrong to count the miracle makers from last season off.
Here is the predicted Leicester City lineup against Manchester United.
Defence
Even though Ranieri brought in a quality goalkeeper in Zieler to compete for a place under the bar, Kasper Schmeichel remains the first-choice keeper and is likely to start against the Red Devils. Ranieri is likely to opt for the same back four at Wembley that brought the Foxes success last season. Wes Morgan and Robert Huth will start at the heart of the defence and Danny Simpson and Christian Fuchs will start in the two full-back positions.
Midfield
There is a Kante-sized void in Leicester City midfield right now following the Frenchman’s move to Chelsea and new signing Nampalys Mendy has a big job on his hands to fill in his compatriot’s boots. The 24-year-old will start in the middle of the park alongside Danny Drinkwater. Last season’s PFA Player of the Year, Riyad Mahrez is still a Leicester City player despite an enormous interest from elsewhere and will be keen to showcase his magic as he starts on the right flank. Leicester City’s club record signing Ahmed Musa is likely to start on the left flank ahead of Marc Albrighton.
Attack
Jamie Vardy’s fan following at King Power is right now at the topmost level after the English international stayed put to the Foxes despite Arsenal triggering his release clause. The 29-year-old will start up front alongside Shinji Okazaki.
