Joe423(Lineup here is how the game ended, minus Berbatov who came on at the 90th minute)
United beat City in a thrilling game at the new Wembley, coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Despite going down 2-0, United played better for most of the game, the final score flattered City.
The shape United played here was just about strikerless, with both Rooney and Welbeck dropping deep when needed and Nani and Young providing good penetration. Nani especially benefited from the system, scoring 2 goals. 1 was a defensive mistake, that didn't owe much to the system, but the other had crisp passing, movement and a clinical finish on the end.
It is much like the shape that they played when they won the 2008 Champions League. They had Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney and a wide player who tucked in that time, and the 3 main men all had free roles. It worked extremely well as shown by the success of that season.
In the second half, Anderson and Cleverley provided the all action approach that fitted in perfectly with this system, something Carrick wasn't giving in the first half. No fault of his as he doesn't play that way.
De Gea was at fault for goal 2, the defense at fault for 1. He looked solid otherwise, good distribution and a good save from Adam Johnson.
Onto City, they didn't seem to have any desire. It's still only a friendly, and they will learn from this. I think they need more Penetration. If they get Nasri, he needs to be played centrally, behind the forward or played wide with Silva centrally. They can't play 3 grafters in midfield like they did today with first De Jong - Milner - Yaya, and then De Jong - Yaya - Barry.
I would also definitely have Johnson over that Primadona idiot Balotelli. Sure he has potential but he doesn't want to be at city, and doesn't seem bothered about playing well. Johnson is good and provides a cutting edge from wide positions and it's a mystery to me why Mancini doesn't play him regularly. Aguero will definitely provide quality up front that the static Dzeko can't provide.
07.08.2011
david1993if cleverly gets enough games to prove himself and show his qualityies and potential he will win the yoiung player of year award
07.08.2011
nvrGood spectacle for the imaprtial. I love community shield, it marks the return of football. This game suited the spirit quite well, end to end stuff, drama and all that. A good change from the previous years' games.
De Gea looked indecisive at the first goal as well, it's just not the defence. He will cost them points this season.
07.08.2011
mojojojo101What suprised me most about the City team was that they looked like they were still weeks away from being ready for the new season, thier players looked tired and thier passing was laboured... a complete contrast to United who were energetic with and without the ball for the whole 90 minutes.
09.08.2011
FeriAtsSomeone had to tell Mancini that this was a semi-friendly. No need to sit tight at the back all game. City looked pretty boring IMHO.
09.08.2011
