Before the match, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola attended a press conference

In the Community Shield final, Manchester United will face Manchester City. Before the match, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola attended a press conference.

Regarding the team's transfer plans this summer, Guardiola said: "We’ll see if we need to bring in new players. We have some excellent players who can play in that position. If Haaland cannot play, we’ll miss his unique skills, but we have other alternatives..."

On Haaland's injury during the 2023/24 season, Guardiola stated: "His injury is a bone issue in his foot, so he can't play. He had some minor muscle issues, but he managed them well. I can't recall him having a serious muscle injury... He's a big guy, and Phil Foden recovers much faster, so I take a different approach with Haaland. There were some minor issues in the U.S., but he felt much better against Chelsea..."

Regarding Haaland's treatment, Guardiola commented: "It’s more about massage therapy and self-care. I want him to be fully focused on his career and the game. As for post-training recovery, it depends on how he feels..."

Discussing the international break, Guardiola said: "Tell me which sport goes on for 12 months with a game every 3-4 days. During the international break, I’ll visit my father in Barcelona and ask him, 'Dad, how are you feeling?' They go to the national teams and play 2-3 more matches... It's just unsustainable... This week, we have to train. After the international break, in September? We’ll have a match every 3-4 days. Forget about it. We’re professionals."

On the team's personnel changes, Guardiola stated: "Sergio Gómez has left, and I want to thank Sergio. I know he may not have had the playing time he deserved, but his contributions in the locker room and his performances in training... I wish him all the best... Álvarez has also left. We still have Savinho, Niko O'Reilly, and James McAtee. That’s the situation at the moment, and we’ll see if we need to bring in new players in the future. We’ll determine before the transfer window closes whether we really need a striker as Haaland’s backup. Considering our upcoming schedule, it’s impossible for Haaland to play every match, so we have to think about this."

On Manchester United and Arsenal's significant spending in the transfer window, Guardiola remarked: "They've been doing this for many years. Many years. But that’s not news. It’s only talked about when Manchester City spends money..."

Regarding Kalvin Phillips, Guardiola said: "He’s with us. Maybe there will be new players; we’ll see what happens next..."

When asked about the possibility of Kalvin Phillips playing as a center-back against Manchester United, Guardiola responded: "It's possible. He’s a midfielder, but he likes to see the whole game from that position. He helped us a lot in the last two matches of the preseason tour. I should have realized in the first two games that he could play in that position. I think his confidence will return."

On the team’s midfield, Guardiola mentioned: "We have Kovacic, Rico Lewis, Niko O'Reilly. Stones and Akanji can also adapt to that position with other players. We’ll watch the market. If I have any concerns, I’ll discuss them with Begiristain (Manchester City’s sporting director)..."

Regarding Grealish's performance in preseason, Guardiola said: "I like it!"

On the goalkeepers, Guardiola commented: "Having Ederson and Ortega stay with us is a huge relief. Eight years without Ederson? Impossible! His charisma and his consistency are crucial for us..."