LONDON - Manchester United takes on Manchester City in Sunday's Community Shield, giving fans another chance to see if the balance of power in English football really is shifting between the clubs.

United has played in the traditional season-opener 18 times since City's last appearance in 1973, but City's wealthy owners have continued with the sort of investment that helped clinch the FA Cup in May.

While United collected its record 19th league championship last season, City's first trophy in 35 years and third-place finish in the Premier League suggested that honors may soon be more evenly split in Manchester.

The teams will meet at Wembley with United manager Alex Ferguson saying he expects "a big challenge."