Sport

For the elite sides who already enjoy regular Champions League football the League Cup has increasingly become a competition in which to hand opportunities to youngsters, though not so for Manchester United this term.

Bury suffered defeat at home to Cheltenham in League Two on Saturday while neighbours Bolton also fell at the first hurdle, losing 3-0 to Watford in the Championship.

Preston will play Rochdale in an all League One clash at Spotland in the first round on Tuesday after the pair began their league campaigns with a draw and a defeat respectively.

United play Valencia on Tuesday night at Old Trafford, Van Gaal’s first game at home, in their final pre-season fixture ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener against Swansea City.

Mangala is City’s sixth buy of the off season as they seek to bolster their squad ahead of their second Premier League title defence in three seasons.

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has refused to confirm Joe Hart’s number one spot after Arsenal humbled his side 3-0 in the Community Shield.

People arriving into Manchester are being welcomed with open arms by Louis van Gaal, as a new billboard mocks rivals Manchester City.

Rather than rest on his laurels, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini kicked off the summer transfer rush by adding former Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna to his squad.

Manchester City and Arsenal fans will come together as one at this weekend’s Community Shield match, as they remember former player and manager Joe Mercer.

After two league titles in three seasons it is time for the Premier League champions to focus on making a name for themselves in Europe.

Trotters fans will be hoping for a stronger start than last season which saw them lose four of their first six games, and saw them eventually limp home to finish in a lacklustre 14th place, and a relatively poor showing in both domestic cup competitions.