Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United (Man City win 7-6 on pens): What Were The Key Talking Points As The Sky Blues Are Crowned Community Shield Champions At Wembley?

With all eyes falling on Wembley this weekend, Manchester City got their hands on a first piece of silverware of the season as they collected a thrilling 7-6 penalties victory against local rivals Manchester United.

While large spells of Saturday’s Community Shield showdown might have failed to live up to its pre-match billing, the Red Devils thought that they had sprung another heavyweight upset in the English capital as Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring with just eight minutes left on the clock.

However, although United might have caused the defending Premier League champions a host of issues at Wembley, Bernardo Silva headed home from close range just seconds before the final whistle.

While Silva might have proved to have been City’s hero on Saturday afternoon, the Portuguese ace quickly came crashing back down to earth as he saw City’s opening spot-kick saved by Andre Onana.

Although United might have once again been handed a real advantage, Ederson saved the returning Jadon Sancho’s effort before veteran defender Jonny Evans fired over in sudden death.

On an afternoon when City dragged themselves to a seventh Community Shield title, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Wembley.

City dragged themselves to some FA Cup revenge

Suffering real FA Cup heartbreak at Wembley back on May 25th as they were hit with that 2-1 victory in last season’s FA Cup final, Manchester City were always looking to gain some immediate revenge this weekend.

Although Pep Guardiola’s men might have failed to make the statement that they had been hoping for prior to Saturday’s trip to north London, the former Barcelona boss would have been glad to get the 2024/25 campaign underway on the best possible footing.

Making real history last season as they became the first Premier League club in history to claim four consecutive domestic crowns, the English giants have their sights firmly set on shattering more records across the board this time around.

Embarking on what was a sensational Premier League romp throughout the second-half of the season last year as they won all of their final nine consecutive top-flight appearances, Manchester City will be looking to use Saturday’s penalties success as a platform to build on next weekend.

United should take plenty of positives away from their Wembley trip

While Manchester United might have eventually fallen agonisingly close in their bid to spring another major upset at Wembley on Saturday afternoon, Erik ten Hag’s side should take plenty of positives away from an eye-catching display in north London.

Shockingly making the decision to stick with Erik ten Hag this summer following intense scrutiny over the former Ajax boss and his future under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Dutch tactician still had plenty of questions that needed answering ahead of their trip to the capital.

However, although United might have eventually left Wembley feeling that they missed out on a golden opportunity to lay down a real statement of intent, they caused their bitter local rivals a string of issues and will take plenty of positives away from a gritty performance.

Although the Red Devils might have signed off their summer preparations with a worrying 3-0 drumming at the hands of historic foes Liverpool over in the United States, ten Hag will believe that he has a real platform to build on heading into their Premier League opener next weekend.

A quiet afternoon in the capital for Haaland

While Phil Foden might have been crowned PFA Player of the Season back in May, it was Manchester City’s striking sensation who stole plenty of the headlines around the Etihad.

Only continuing to break a string of domestic records since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, Erling Haaland breezed his way to yet another Premier League Golden Boot as the Norwegian icon notched 27 goals in his 31 top-flight appearances.

However, although the 24-year-old might have signed off his pre-season preparations with a hat-trick against Chelsea out in the United States earlier in the week, Haaland failed to find his clinical best at Wembley.

While the Ballon d’Or contender might have failed to ask any real questions of a United defence that showed some extended defensive issues last season, Haaland will certainly be leading the goalscoring charts this year.

Garnacho will play a leading role this season

While the likes of England international Marcus Rashford and Brazilian midfielder Casemiro might have had serious question marks over their future at Old Trafford this summer, United made it abundantly clear that Garnacho was untouchable and no offer would be enough to force their hand.

Opening the scoring at Wembley on Saturday afternoon thanks to a clinical finish, the Argentina international is quickly becoming one of the poster boys in the red half of Manchester and certainly had a leading role to play this time around.

While Garnacho might have been reprimanded by United back in April after criticising ten Hag on social media, the former Atletico Madrid schoolboy appears to be relishing his role as one of United’s key superstars.

Only turning 20 last month and featuring for Argentina as they were crowned Copa America champions over the summer, the Spanish-born ace will have plenty of pressure on his young shoulders this season.

Match Report

Manchester City: Ederson, Gvardiol, Dias, Akanji, Lewis, McAtee, Kovacic, O’Reilly, Doku, Haaland, Bobb

Subs: Ake, Silva, Nunes, Savinho, De Bruyne

Manchester United: Onana, Martinez, Evans, Maguire, Dalot, Maison, Casemiro, Rashford, Mount, Diallo, Fernendes

Subs: Sancho, Pellistri, McTominay, Garnacho, Collyer

Goals: Manchester City: Silva (89’) – Manchester United: Garnacho (82’)

Yellow Cards: Silva, Nunes

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Jarred Gillett