Manchester United vs Chelsea Preview, Live Score: Community Shield 2009

Chelsea and Manchester United are facing each other tomorrow (9 August 2009) in the season-opening FA Community Shield 2009 match at the Wembley Stadium. This is a match that many football fans are waiting for, even though Community Shield title is no more a lucrative title in English football. Community Shield may have lost its strong status in English football, but it is still a widely popular game because with this game the new season of English football begins. Moreover, this is the match through which fans can get to see the newly signed players in action for the first time and the managers can get to know the current state of his players before the start of the premier league.

Match: Chelsea vs Manchester United; FA Community Shield 2009

Date: 9 August 2009, Sunday

Venue: Wembley Stadium, London, England

Kick off: 15:00 BST (British Standard Time)

For both Manchester United and Chelsea, there are some injury concerns ahead of the game. So, neither side would be able to feature their best squad in the game, but still you can expect a highly competitive match as both sides have some talented skilled players. Chelsea midfielder Yuri Zhirkov is uncertain for the game due to his knee problem, while Joe Cole is pretty much confirmed to miss the Community shield match with a knee ligament problem. Compared to Chelsea, Manchester United has a number of injury concerns including veteran goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar who is sidelined with his broken finger.

BBC reported:

Manchester United are without defenders Nemanja Vidic (calf), Wes Brown (thigh) and Gary Neville (groin).

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson must decide whether to choose Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak in goal with keeper Edwin Van der Sar out with a broken finger.

Ferguson is refusing to be drawn on who will replace Van der Sar on Sunday, and for the remaining eight weeks the Dutchman is absent for.

So, it seems that Manchester United will have to deal with a number of injury problems in the defense, and Rio Ferdinand has to take extra responsibility to fill up the void left by the absentees. For goalkeeping concern, it would not be a problem for United as they have two talented keepers in Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak.

For Chelsea, they have problems in the midfield, but the good news is that Michael Ballack has retained his fitness. So, he is in contention of the starting line up for the Manchester United match. Moreover, the Blues have a playmaker like Frank Lampard. No doubt, Lampard has to play a big role in the game if Chelsea wants to win the title. Chelsea’s attacking line up is pretty much balanced in the presence of Anelka and Drogba.

Manchester United may have some problems in the defense, but they have a very strong midfield and attacking line up. The Red Devils might be missing Cristiano Ronaldo, but they still have Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Nani, Carrick and some others. Moreover, they have some highly skilled and experienced strikers in Wayne Rooney, Berbatov and newly signed Michael Owen. No doubt, Manchester United fans would like to see Michael Owen for the first time in United shirt. Another player who would attract some attention is Antonio Valencia as United fans would also like to see him in action for the first time in a competitive game since his joining the club this Summer.

Let us now focus on the different aspect of the game. Captains of both sides will be asked by the match referee Chris Foy before the game to make sure their players keep their role model status intact during the game in what would help the next generation learn some good lessons.

Telegraph reported:

The FA wants to exploit the iconic status of leading footballers to educate the millions of impressionable schoolchildren who follow the game, encouraging them to grow up respecting officials.

"These top footballers really are idolised,'' said Foy yesterday. "Kids can tell you what car they drive, what their registration number is, what model of boots they wear and what is embroidered on the side of the boots. The game on Sunday can set the right tone. We will be wearing Respect badges on our sleeves. At 2 0'clock, when it is time for the teamsheet exchange, I will speak to the Chelsea and Manchester United captains, just reminding them it [Respect] has been a huge success last season and we need to carry it on.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some live score websites from where you can get the live score and updates of the match:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

Overall, the Community Shield 2009 match seems to be an enticing affair between two top sides of English football. Naturally, many football fans will have an eye on this game besides the football fans of the participating teams. Despite the fact that both teams are missing some of their regular players, the match seems to be very competitive and enjoyable.