Community Shield: Manchester City vs Manchester United

Manchester City's record signing Sergio Aguero is set to be on the bench for Sunday's Community Shield against Manchester United at Wembley.

The Argentina striker has had blistered feet since his move from Atletico Madrid but is now training as normal.

Fellow new signings Stefan Savic and Gael Clichy will also feature.

United midfielder Michael Carrick is set to miss out after picking up an Achilles problem in Edwin van der Sar's testimonial on Wednesday.

Fellow midfielder Darren Fletcher and full-back Rafael are all back in training for the Red Devils following knocks in pre-season, but Sunday's game could come too soon for them.

Winger Antonio Valencia has also returned to training after recovering from the ankle injury he suffered while playing for Ecuador at the Copa America and could play a part at Wembley.

However, Javier Hernandez will miss the game and the start of the season after he suffered a concussion last month.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Chicharito [Hernandez] won't be involved for maybe another two or three weeks.

"He had a concussion some years ago and we are just playing safe with that but he should be back by the end of August."

Ferguson must decide who to start in goal on Sunday, with summer signing David de Gea competing with Anders Lindegaard for the role.

City will be without last season's captain and top scorer Carlos Tevez, who is still on leave after the Copa America and is not expected to report back to the club until Monday.

It was initially thought Tevez would be back at the club's Carrington training base on Thursday but City manager Roberto Mancini says the striker had always been allotted 21 days' holiday following his international exertions.

With Tevez absent and his fellow Argentine Aguero set to start on the bench, Mancini could therefore pair £24m Mario Balotelli with £27m Edin Dzeko up front against United.

On the subject of Aguero, Mancini said: "Sergio is OK. He had a problem, but on Thursday he did 20 minutes training.

"I don't think he's 100% ready but he is fit to be on the bench."

Sunday's season curtain-raiser is a repeat of last season's FA Cup semi-final, which City won 1-0 thanks to Yaya Toure's 52nd-minute goal.

City went on to beat Stoke 1-0 in the final - with Toure again scoring the only goal - to lift their first piece of silverware in 35 years.

United made up for the Cup loss to City by going on to secure a record 19th Premier League title.

The teams have met once before in the Community Shield - then the Charity Shield - with United emerging 1-0 victors thanks to a goal from Dennis Viollet. The match was held at City's then ground, Maine Road.

The Community shield is often a mild-mannered affair, but the Manchester rivalry certainly gives this one an edge. Neither team will want to lose and even though it is arguably the least important match of the season, they will be going into the game with one intention only – winning.

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Looking at United, the reigning Premier League champion has been doing well in their pre-season friendly matches with strings of impressive results that include a 2-1 win over Barcelona recently. Furthermore, Sir Alex Ferguson has managed to bring in new reinforcements such as Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David de Gea to replace the retired Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar. At the same time, he knows that this match will provide an early opportunity to avenge last season's FA Cup semi-final defeat against Roberto Mancini's side, which opened up the path towards ending the mega-rich club's 35-year trophy drought.

Glazing across the blue side of Manchester, City has been active in the transfer market as well, with the summer acquisition of Sergio Aguero, Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic. Similarly, Mancini’s men have also been performing during their pre-season friendly matches, as exhibited by the recent victory in the Dublin Super Cup by defeating Inter Milan. Apart from Aguero who should start from the bench and Tevez who only returns on Monday, Mancini still has a pool of players to choose from to lead the attack on Sunday, with quality names such as Edin Dzeko and David Silva, not to forget Mario Bolatelli.

Overall, this curtain raiser for the new Premier League season should be a fascinating encounter. However, after a pre-season during which every match has been won (if you count a penalty shoot-out victory over LA Galaxy), Roberto Mancini will be telling his side they can start the season by beating their fiercest rivals who just happen to be the league champions. Thus, a small wager on City beating United for the Shield sounds attractive, given the fact that Ferguson will be resting several key players after their hectic pre-season matches.

World Football Challenge: Barcelona vs America

The heat will be turned up in Texas this weekend and not just because of the heat wave that’s hitting the state.

FC Barcelona need a convincing victory in the worst way in their final preseason match as they face Mexican power Club América at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the final match of the 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge.

The Catalan side fell in their opening two WFC matches against Manchester United and Chivas de Guadalajara, with the latter a 4-1 loss representing the most lopsided result of the Pep Guardiola era and one that Andrés Iniesta called “a warning.” América, who have yet to score in their two WFC defeats, are under similar pressure after dropping a 2-1 midweek home match against lowly Estudiantes Tecos in Mexican league action on Wednesday.

Saturday’s match will mark the third all-time encounter between the two sides. The first one was a memorable 4-4 tie at a sold out Reliant Stadium in Houston back in 2006. Barcelona put another four past América in the semifinals of the FIFA Club World Cup later that same year.

FC BARCELONA

The injuries and absences persist for FC Barcelona but Guardiola has stated that he still expects the players he fields, whether reserves or youth players, to have enough game smarts to churn out a result.

Recovering injured players like Carles Puyol (knee surgery), Ibrahim Afellay (torn hamstring), Maxwell (abdomen) and Marc Muniesa (torn hamstring) join Lionel Messi, Alexis Sánchez, Javier Mascherano and Dani Alves, who return from their vacations on Monday. Also, Gabriel Milito and Jeffren Suárez departed this week to join new clubs.

Guardiola is yet to send a true best XI on the field to start a match, rotating his players for a mix of veterans and youth players during this year’s US tour. But facing a highly anticipated, week-long lead-up to the first official match of the season against Real Madrid on August 14 in the first leg of the Spanish Supercopa, the manager may be more open to fielding as many starters as possible to get his team back on track.

CLUB AMÉRICA

América are further ahead in their preparations by comparison, already playing three matches in the Mexican Priméra División's Apertura season (1-1-1). However, it’s their latest match — a 2-1 loss to Estudiantes Tecos at the Estadio Azteca — that has fans in a tizzy.

The attack has not exactly taken off back in Mexico, with the team coached by Carlos Reinoso scoring just four times, including two own goals after three fixtures. Ecuadorean forward Christian “Chucho” Benítez will hope to redeem himself after failing to convert a penalty kick which would have equalized the league match against Tecos.

There will be even added pressure on América because of the fact that it was eternal rivals Chivas Guadalajara who handed Barcelona a heavy 4-1 defeat on Wednesday night in Miami. The team refused to acknowledge the Chivas win and their supposed need to match their result.

Las Águilas will feature the likes of US national team call-up Edgar Castillo, who has played left back and left midfield for his club side, and right back Paul Aguilar, who was called up by Mexico manager José Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre and will face Castillo on August 10 in Philadelphia.

KEY PLAYERS

David Villa – As the most experienced member of the Barcelona front line, the 2010 World Cup champion will need to help stake his team out to a comfortable lead if los Culés aim to have a comfortable afternoon. Villa missed lob shot that could have made it 2-0 for Barcelona against Chivas on Wednesday, leaving the window open for the Mexicans to make a second-half comeback.

Armando Navarrete – With Guillermo Ochoa’s move to French soccer, Navarrete is under the microscope after being given the starting job for the first time in his seven seasons for the Mexico City club. Some question his ability to match Ochoa’s quality and an error by the 30-year-old that gifted Juventus their lone goal in a 1-0 WFC loss on July 26 has added fuel to those arguments.

AC Milan 2 - 1 Inter Milan

AC Milan won a record sixth Italian Super Cup after coming from behind to beat city rival Inter Milan 2-1 in a hard-fought derby at Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing on Saturday.

Inter led at halftime after Wesley Sneijder curled a free kick over the wall and the ball ricocheted in off the crossbar. The free kick came after a foul by combative Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso.

Milan's first goal came after Clarence Seedorf chested down a cross near the touch line, then knocked it back in for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to send a diving header into the net.

Ibrahimovic also hit the post with a header against his former club in the first half.

The equalizer was quickly followed by Milan forward Alexandre Pato running onto a through ball. His shot hit the post, but Kevin-Prince Boateng slid to knock in the rebound.

Boateng celebrated with a spinning kung fu kick that delighted the cheering crowds packed into the Olympic stadium. The venue has proved an unlucky one for Inter, which played in the same fixture at the same place two years ago and lost 2-1 to Lazio.

The victory moved Milan one Italian Super Cup clear of Inter and two in front of Juventus.

The Super Cup is the traditional curtain raiser for the Italian season, played between the previous season's Serie A winners (Milan) and Italian Cup victors (Inter).

Three of the next four Italian Super Cups will be played in China to help promote Italian football in Asia.

Juventus Target Zenit St Petersburg Defender Bruno Alves

Juventus are looking to sign Zenit St. Petersburg defender Bruno Alves, Tuttomercato claims.

The Portugal international has been an ever-present figure at the Russian club since his €22 million move from Porto last summer.

After a frustrating seventh-placed finish in Serie A last season, the Italians have been working hard to revamp their squad, and it appears they are not satisfied with the pool of talent at their disposal just yet.

According to Tuttomercato, Alves could move to Turin in a cash-only deal, or in an agreement which would see Leonardo Bonucci move in the opposite direction.

The Italy defender is a known transfer target of Zenit, with Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta claiming earlier today the club had rejected a bid from the Russian side for the 24-year-old.

Sissoko Would Join PSG

Toulouse star Moussa Sissoko would have accepted the chance to join Paris St Germain, but his dream remains to play in the Premier League.

The €15million (£13m)-rated midfielder was reportedly first contacted by PSG and their new-found wealth several weeks ago, but a deal has not materialized.

Liverpool has also been linked with Sissoko, but he would have agreed to a move to the French capital if he had the chance.

He told L'Equipe: "If I had the opportunity to go, I would have left. PSG has a great project.

"If I had to leave, considering my style, I would favour Premier League. If I have not been chosen at Paris, that means I am missing some things. I have to be steadier and more decisive.

"It is up to me to work hard, and next year find a new club."

Arsenal Target £15m Ajax Playmaker

Arsenal will make an approach for Ajax starlet Christian Eriksen with proceeds from the projected sale of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona.

Fabregas was omitted from the Gunners squad to face Benfica in a pre-season friendly sparking more speculation that he was edging closer to the exit door. Chief executive Ivan Gazidis was rumoured to have met with his counterparts from the Spanish club on Friday and the player's own resigned body language during an open training session at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday suggested that he had made his last public appearance in an Arsenal shirt.

However, plans are already being put in place for his eventual departure with Eriksen emerging as a target. The 19-year-old has shone over the past 18 months for Ajax and has become a regular for the Denmark national team, putting in a man of the match performance in a 2-1 friendly defeat to England earlier this year.

The player has long been on the radar of Premier League clubs having twice gone on trial at Chelsea without being offered a permanent deal. Manchester City have also shown an interest according to his agent Martin Schoots though they were unable to persuade the youngster to move to Eastlands.

Wenger will hope to have more luck with his track record of developing young talent into world class stars to be the principal selling point behind the approach. Eriksen is valued at around £15m.

Liverpool Battle Juventus Over £14m Brazil International

Liverpool will go head-to-head with Juventus in their attempts to sign Lyon defender Michel Bastos.

The 28-year-old is reportedly unsettled at Lyon and is privately considering a move away from the Stade Gerland despite commenting to the French press that he was happy to stay at the club. The Brazilia has spent largely impressive seasons there but it seems that interest from other more glamorous league have turned his head.

The two clubs heading the queue for his signature are Liverpool and Juventus. The Reds need for a full back is well-documented and has been evident for the last 12 months with Pual Konchesky, Fabio Aurelio and Glen Johnson all operating there to different effects.

However, Juventus have made their interest known to both the player and the club and trying to build a team capable of competing the likes of Inter Milan and AC Milan for Lo Scudetto this season.

Roma In Talks With Villarreal Over Nilmar Move

Roma have stepped up their interest in Villarreal forward Nilmar, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.

The Giallorossi have reportedly already agreed personal terms with the Brazilian, but agreeing a transfer fee with Villarreal will not be so easy.

The 27-year-old has a €50 release clause inserted in his contract, but the Spanish side are willing to accept a big in the region of €24 million.

Roma’s initial offer of €14 million plus performance related bonuses has been rejected, but the Giallorossi are likely to come back with an increased bid.

Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has earlier stated that he plans to sign three or four more players this summer, having already brought Bojan Krkic, Erik Lamela, Maarten Stekelenburg and Jose Angel.

Nilmar is considered a perfect replacement for Mirko Vucinic, who has joined Juventus few days ago.

Tottenham Back In For £28m-rated Striker

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is ready to launch a new bid for Villarreal's Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi.

Redknapp and his chief scout watched Rossi hit a stunning winner for the Spanish outfit at Everton recently, as Tottenham continue their search for a top-class goalscorer.

The North Londoners tried and failed to get Rossi in the last window but the former Manchester United reserve is now on the market again.

Rossi has missed out on moves to Barcelona and Juventus and is available at around £28million.

Spurs would wheel and deal to get back into that chase - chairman Daniel Levy is trying to sell Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios to Stoke for a combined £20m.

Clever forward Rossi did not fancy Tottenham in January, but may be more open to the transfer this time.

Newcastle United Make £3m Offer For Barcelona Hit-Man

Newcastle United are preparing a £3million offer for Barcelona striker Keirrison as they continue their search for Andy Carroll’s replacement.

The Magpies have made contact with their Catalan counter-parts about the availability of the 22-year-old.

The Brazilian has not made a single appearance for the La Liga giants first-team since making a £9million move from Palmeiras in 2009.

He was sent on-loan back to his native country last season to Santos and scored four goals in 13 appearances.

Toon Army boss Alan Pardew has been searching all summer for a new striker and is confident he can finally land his man.

Pardew has made enquiries about Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendtner and Tottenham’s Peter Crouch but did not make an offer.

A deal for PSG hit-man Mevlut Erdinc was close to fruition but the Turkey international pulled out at the last minute.