Fans have raised the same point just minutes into the FA Community Shield final at Wembley.
According to tradition, the FA Community Shield final marks the beginning of the new season, featuring a match between the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners.
This year, Manchester City and Manchester United will compete at Wembley once more before the 2024/25 season begins.
However, just minutes into the match, fans began expressing concern on social media about the numerous empty seats scattered throughout Wembley Stadium.
One fan remarked, “There are empty seats everywhere at the Community Shield. It’s frustrating to see two Manchester teams travel to London for what seems like a meaningless game.”
Another tweeted, “Why are there so many empty seats at Wembley?!”
A third fan noted, “The Community Shield has really lost its appeal; just look at all the empty seats at Wembley.”
Before the match, United goalkeeper Andre Onana stated, “We’re here to win. We’ve already demonstrated that we can defeat anyone. Our goal is to fight and represent Manchester United.”
He added, “With new coaches on board, it’s always beneficial to have fresh perspectives, so you could say this is a new beginning.”
Meanwhile, City manager Pep Guardiola remarked, “We’re here because we achieved something significant last season. Our opponents also deserve to be here as they won a trophy.
“During the holidays, energy levels tend to drop, but they pick up once the competitions start. We’re waiting for the entire squad to return, observing our training, and assessing our mentality to gauge what’s ahead.”
