West Brom 1 United 2

The champions kicked off the Barclays Premier League season with a hard-fought victory at West Brom, repeating last season's 2-1 success thanks to a strike from Wayne Rooney and an own goal by Steven Reid.

Gallery : Community Shield in Dressing Room

United Gave Noisy Neighbours a 'Footballing Lesson' Says Rooney

Wayne Rooney last night claimed Manchester United gave their noisy ­neighbours a ­“footballing lesson”.
Rooney insisted United’s stirring comeback, capped by Nani’s injury-time winner, put big-spending Manchester City firmly in their place and proved they will be the team to beat again this season.
“This shows who the best team is. All game we ­dominated. The difference the young lads made was outstanding,” said Rooney.
“We never know when a game is finished, we took them apart. The scoreline is deserved. We’re champions and we’re the team to beat. We want to prove that. They are wanting to try and fight us for that title and today I think there was only one team that was going to win.

“We dominated the first half and they had five minutes when they scored two goals from nowhere but we showed our character to come back and win.”
Rooney then later tweeted: “I think today was a footballing lesson. Great win for the champions.” Sir Alex Ferguson famously branded City their “noisy ­neighbours” and once again his champions silenced their great rivals with a stunning fight back from 2-0 down at half time.
Ferguson’s victorious team had an average age of 22 at one point during the second half and the United boss said: “For us, I think it just confirms what I’ve thought.
“I brought Tom ­Cleverley, Danny Welbeck and Mame Diouf back to the club [from being on loan]. They’re good players and the addition of Phil Jones and David de Gea gives us a good future. We’re very confident with this group of young players.”
Ferguson defended new £17million keeper De Gea who was arguably at fault for both of City’s goals.
“Keeper had no chance with the first,” said Ferguson. “The second goal, the ball swerved a bit and just caught the keeper on the wrong foot but he’s no problem.”

Points of Interest from the Community Shield Final

 

 

This Community Shield between Manchester City and Manchester United was eventful, to say the least. It used to be called the Charity Shield, and let's just say that there was no charity in this game.
Micah Richards of City, for example, was not afraid to put himself about, and gave many free-kicks from his position outside the box. Anderson and Edin Dzeko both received yellow cards in the first half for a scuffle on the halfway line.
After the first 20 minutes, two things were made explicit. The first was that United were looking to dominate the game and were not holding back on the tackling front.
Secondly, they were not found wanting pressure-wise, pressing high up against Manchester City and playing one-twos in little space. In the first half, Ashley Young particularly stood out. His distribution and his runs were impeccable and well-timed.
United had all the possession and all the territory, and City were on their back foot. However, in the 38th minute, Joleon Lescott scored a header, putting away a cross from David Silva.
United followed up with more pressure, recovering well from the goal. Things only got worse for United, though, as Edin Dzeko lashed in a long-ranger in the 45th minute. United now went in 2-0 down at halftime.
As soon as play resumed, United looked likely to score and dominated the match yet again. Sure enough, Chris Smalling scored off of a Young free kick. United came in waves after that goal, with lack of defensive regard.They got the equalizer they needed, as Nani finished off a Barcelona-esque team move.
Deep into extra time, United sealed the game with Nani scoring a George Best-esque goal, sidestepping the keeper and finishing after a failed block by Vincent Kompany.

Community Shield: City 2 United 3

Man Utd   3

Smalling (52), Nani (58, 90)

Man City   2

Lescott (38), Dzeko (45)

7 August 2011 Wembley | Attendance: 77,169

New players, same old spirit. Sir Alex Ferguson handed four players competitive debuts at Wembley in the Reds' injury-time Community Shield victory on Sunday, but despite the fresh faces United displayed the same never-say-die attitude that has become the hallmark of the manager's modern teams. 

United: De Gea; Smalling, Ferdinand (Jones 46), Vidic (Evans 46), Evra (Rafael 72); Nani, Carrick (Cleverley 46), Anderson, Young; Rooney, Welbeck (Berbatov 89)Subs not used: Lindegaard, Park, Berbatov