Don't Forget, The Stretfords Are The Favourites

City manager Roberto Mancini has picked up where he left off last season in psychologically strangling Manchester United's football focus...

It's marvellous stuff and a mantra City fans followed to the letter as Mancio's squad stealth bombered the rags into submission across a thrilling title run-in. Time for more of the same as The Champions prepare to face Chelsea in a mouthwatering Community Shield clash in Birmingham. Senior rags are already talking up the pressure 'crumbling' City will be under so why not give them the nod again?:

'We are very confident...although we only won the title on goal difference, we beat United twice last season and were on top of the table for most of the time but you cannot change your history in two years...For this reason I still say you have to respect United and make them favourites because they have been doing this for 20 years. We have only just arrived.'

The dandy Blues gaffer leads City's Band of Brothers out at Villa Park today without a stranger on board. This could be an intriguing encounter.

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The FA Community Shield 2012 VMC Preview


UPCOMING GAMES:
all times East Manchester

TODAY 13h30 Chelsea, Villa Park, Community Shield ITV1 HD
Su 19 Aug 15h00 Southampton, The Etihad, PL
Sa 25 Aug 15h00 Liverpool, Anfield, PL
Sa 01 Sep 17h30 QPR, The Etihad, PL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES:

The draw for the 2012/13 Champions League Group Stage will take place in Monaco on Thursday, 30th August. The opening round of games will kick off in the week commencing Monday, 17th September.

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