Manchester United came back from two goals down to defeat Manchester City 3-2 in a dramatic Community Shield.
The game proved to be an outstanding spectacle and a great way to open up the new season. The game also helped us learn a few things. Here is what I gained from the game:
Grit
One thing I took from this game is that Manchester United have not lost their never-say-die attitude, as they raced back from two goals down to beat their bitter rivals.
United have developed the knack of never giving up and scoring late goals in recent years and it seems the new season won’t be any different.
Unsure
Young Spaniard David de Gea had a day to forget as both of the Manchester City goals were questionable. However the youngster will gain experience from those sort of mistakes and hopefully it will make him a better keeper in the future.
I have talked him up in the past and I’m not going to change my opinion on one questionable off day. I have no doubt that the 20 year-old will go on to become a top keeper and be number one at United for some time to come. He just needs to put this performance behind him and acclimatise himself to the English game.
Although he pulled off a few saves in the second half that showed what he can do. Sir Alex Ferguson doesn’t spend money easily, so he wouldn’t have laid out nearly £20million on a player if he didn’t think he could make it.
Important
During the summer question marks were raised over the future of Portuguese winger Nani. The winger has been an enigma at times in his United career but its performances like today’s that proves that he is important to United.
Maybe next season he can be consistent and lose the tag of inconsistency he gained earlier in his United career. Nani has even more competition for his place with Ashley Young arriving this summer and he will have to play well to keep his place in the team.
Slipped
Manchester City let a two goal lead slip and that’s inexcusable. It doesn’t matter who you are playing against top teams know how to close out a game. That’s what Manchester City haven’t quite developed yet, the ability to close out games when they are in winning positions.
When they develop that skill as a team and as a squad they will start to become a top team. Until then though they will have to settle for being a step behind their rivals.
Meaningless
Usually Community Shield clashes are meaningless but this clash was always going to be more meaningful than most. Whenever these two teams meet there is always fireworks. The feelings of bitterness between the two sets of fans somehow leaks out into the minds of the players.
Even though the trophy isn’t regarded very highly by most people I bet neither side won’t to lose the match. Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will be very disappointed that his side managed to surrender a two goal lead.
Trophy
So Manchester United have claimed the first trophy of the new season. I somehow suspect that this won’t be the last one that the Red Devils claim this season. Manchester City will now hope to challenge their rivals for the Premier League trophy.
All-in-all it was a superb opening to the new season and if this game is anything to go by we are in for a big treat when the new Premier League season kicks-off next weekend.
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