Actually, the FA Community Shield is not that important for Manchester City and if they lose then there is no loss felt by Manchester City.
Indeed, Ten Hag looks quite optimistic to be able to get win in this match and he looks very enthusiastic in trying to beat Manchester City even though we all know that Manchester United performance can't actually surpass Manchester City.
But there is indeed chance for them to win the match, just like when they were in the FA Cup final where Manchester City didn't seem to play optimally and didn't look like team that was trying to get win because the FA Cup was not the goals for Manchester City.
In match like this for the FA Community Shield I doubt if I have to make Manchester City the favorite, maybe there will be surprise like the match in the FA Cup final.
Even though the FA Community Shield is not Manchester City's target, Pep Guardiola has the ambition to take revenge against Manchester United when they were defeated in the FA Cup last season. I believe both team have huge ambition for winning their first trophy in this season on The FA Community Shield and make their team performance keep confidence for Premier League matches.
Manchester United on difficult position few days left before facing Manchester City on FA Community Shield after leaving by several important players due injured, new signing Leny Yoro will absent and Marcus Rashford will miss in this match until Rasmus Højlund have to be out from Manchester United squad few later with injury problem.
Considering Manchester United recently squad, I doubt they can repeat success for defeating Manchester City on FA Community Shield match, I think Manchester City indeed not have huge ambition for the first trophy in this season seems favorable for defeating Manchester United for the first match in this season.