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That’s it from me. Thank you very much for putting up with me for 90 odd minutes. I’ll be back on the 26th of August for the game vs Chelsea in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
Good, solid performance from Manchester United. Kept Wigan at bay with the Championship side never really threatening. 2 lovely RVP goals.
Final stats:
Possession: Manchester United 59% – Wigan’s 41%
Shots: MUFC 5-1 Wigan
Shots on target: MUFC 3-0 Wigan
Corners: MUFC 5-3 Wigan
Final score: 2-0. Manchester United win the Community Shield. Moyes with his first piece of silverware as United manager. Hopefully, the first of many.
Manchester United with a corner in the final minute after a mazy Patrice Evra run. United take it short and Mark Clattenburg ends the game in the 94th minute.
Crainey follows a succession of poor Wigan corners with a poor cross easily cleared by the United defence. 2 minutes left.
Cleverley picks up a yellow card for fouling Espinoza and stopping Wigan from countering.
4 minutes of stoppage time awarded by the referee.
Januzaj penalised for a high foot whilst trying to chip a ball over Barnett’s head down the left.
Roger Espinoza picks up Wigan’s 2nd yellow card of the game after a late challenge on Cleverley.
2 minutes left + stoppage time in the 2013 Community Shield
Manchester United playing some nice football around Wigan’s box. Cleverley eventually tries a lofted ball to the far post but no United player in sight.
James McCarthy has come off for Wigan and Nouha Dicko has come on.
The McDonald’s Man of the Match has been awarded to Manchester United’s Michael Carrick. Yes, that is McDonald’s Man of the Match.
It appears Cleverley has moved out to wide left. Adnan Januzaj as the main striker with Kagawa just behind him.
Welbeck comes off for Kagawa. Januzaj takes the place of Robin Van Persie.
The changes most have been waiting to see. Adnan Januzaj and Shinji Kagawa about to come on.
Anderson plays a lovely first time pass for Robin Van Persie. The pass is ever so slightly overhit and Carson collects just in time.
In the build up to that shot, Evra took a cross to the testicles and is now treating the pain by pouring water down his shorts. As you do.
Roger Espinoza controls it on the right hand side of the United box and unleashes a left footed volley which goes wide of David De Gea’s goal.
Wigan subs: Roger Espinoza on for Ben Watson and Jordi Gomez on for Shaun Maloney.
Cleverley finds Valencia on the right. The winger takes some time to get a shot off and the ball is deflected out for a corner, which sadly comes to nothing.
This change will see Welbeck pushed out wide to the left with Anderson playing behind RVP.
Anderson comes on for Ryan Giggs in the 66th minute.
The last player to score a hat trick in the Community Shield? Eric Cantona for Leeds against Liverpool in 1992.
Zaha has been taken off with a knock to the knee. Antonio Valencia, sporting his #25 shirt, comes on to replace him.
Good work by Evra who finds Cleverley on the edge of the box. Tom turns to pass to Welbeck who unselfishly passes to RVP who takes a touch, takes it away from the defender and shoots. The ball takes a mean deflection off James Perch’s left foot. Carson is left wrong-footed and the ball hits the back of the net.
GOAL. 2-0 Manchester United. RVP again!
Corner taken by Ben Watson. RVP clears.
McClean the main threat for Wigan. Outpaces Smalling down Wigan’s left hand side but the United defender blocks the cross and the ball goes out for a corner.
Just spotted Anderson, Kagawa and Valencia warming up on the touchline. All 3 to come on soon?
Cleverley really needs to work on his shooting. Zaha runs down the right, cuts it back for Welbeck who finds Cleverley on the edge of the box. TC opens his body to try and curl it around Carson but miscues terribly and the ball bobbles out for a goal kick.
First yellow card of the game picked up by James McArthur for tripping Danny Welbeck up after the United youngster turned him.
Free-kick for Wigan to the left of the United box. Watson takes it but Smalling rises above the rest to clear it with a strong header.
We’re back under way for the 2nd half of the Community Shield at Wembley.
No changes in the Manchester United team at half-time. Surprising.
For those wondering where Chicharito is, he’s picked up a small injury that has left him out of today’s game. Wasn’t picked by the Mexico manager either for their game vs Ivory Coast on the 14th of August.
Manchester United have enjoyed 64% of the possession in the 1st half. Wigan are yet to register a shot on goal, whilst Manchester United have had 3 including 2 on target (1 goal).
The ball goes out for a United throw in and Mark Clattenburg ends the first half. Vidic having a few words with the referee before heading down the tunnel. Manchester United 1-0 Wigan Athletic.
1 minute of stoppage time to finish the first half.
It’s worth noting that each team can make 6 subs during the game, which means half-time substitutions are near inevitable. United only have 5 left due to Rafael hobbling off with a leg injury earlier on in the game.
Wigan with another free-kick from the right. McClean this time beats the first man and finds Emerson Boyce at the far post, who heads it back across goal but the ball is finally cleared by the United defence. Biggest chance so far for the Championship side.
5 minutes left in the 1st half.
Minor handbags in the United box. Wigan have a free-kick but game is stopped due to Holt and Vidic pushing each other. McClean eventually takes the FK but the cross is poor and fails to beat the first man.
RVP takes the corner, Welbeck rises and meets the ball but heads it over.
And we have our 2nd shot. Cleverley finds Welbeck on the edge of the box who turns and forces Carson into a good save to his left. The ball ends up out for a corner.
Forgot to mention that the referee for today’s game is Mark Clattenburg.
Chris Smalling misjudges a Crainey long ball, letting it bounce over him. McClean takes advantage of this and drills it across the United box. No Wigan player in sight, thankfully. Ball cleared.
Wigan’s new signing James McClean hits a cross from the left into the United box. Holt throws himself at it but fouls Evra in the process. United free-kick.
Throw in for United deep in the Wigan half. After a neat triangle between Zaha, Jones and RVP, Zaha over hits his cross for a Wigan throw in. The threat is there, the final ball not quite.
As far as I’m aware, there has only been one shot in 28 minutes so far: United’s goal.
21 minutes in. Manchester United lead Wigan Athletic 1-0 thanks to a superb header by Robin Van Persie in the 6th minute.
Scary to think that one of our wingers is 39 years of age. How long will Ryan Giggs keep on playing?
Wigan hit the long ball forward looking for Grant Holt. However, the Wigan striker is no match for Nemanja Vidic who seems to be dealing with him comfortably so far.
Rafael appears to have picked up an injury. Being subbed off. Chris Smalling comes on to replace him. Jones moves to RB with Chris Smalling slotting in at CB alongside Vidic.
Cleverley finds Zaha on the right who drills it to the near post. Barnett does well to clear it for a corner without putting the ball into the back of his own net.
Goal aside, Manchester United are using the right wing and Zaha a lot. Each time the young winger gets the ball, 2 or 3 Wigan players surround him. It seems Owen Coyle has highlighted him as one of the main threats.
Van Persie finds Evra on the wide left who delivers a cross into the box. Van Persie jumps and heads the ball from some way out. It arcs out of Carson’s reach and finds the bottom left corner of the net.
GOAL. Manchester United 1-0! Who else? Robin Van Persie.
3 mins in and all I can say is that Manchester United have had more possession.
And we’re off.
Both teams are on the field. Kick off is mere seconds away. Wigan to start the game.
Shirt number news: Antonio Valencia requested to be given the number 25 back, leaving the number 7 shirt vacant.
I must say, I am a big fan of the new kit. Looks incredibly classy.
Manchester United have been involved in more Community Shield penalty shootouts than any other team (6). No surprises if this game ends up with penalties, then.
David Moyes gives Zaha his first competitive start for Manchester United. A deserved one after a rather impressive pre-season.
10 minutes until kick off
A bit of good news for the pessimists out there: Wigan Athletic have only beaten Manchester United once in their last 17 attempts, losing the other 16.
Rafael, who is serving a suspension for getting sent off at the end of last season, is available for selection as the Community Shield is not classed as a 1st team game. He will serve the final game of his ban next week vs Swansea.
Today marks the first competitive game for David Moyes at Manchester United. This is Owen Coyle’s second game in charge of Wigan after beating Barnsley 4-0 away on the 3rd of August.
Bench for both teams:
United: Evans, Anderson, Smalling, Lindegaard, Valencia, Kagawa & Januzaj.
Wigan: Nicholls, McCann, Gomez, McManaman, Espinoza, Dicko, Fortune.
Wigan’s XI: Carson, Boyce, Barnett, Perch, Crainey, Watson, McArthur, McCarthy, McClean, Holt, Maloney.
Here is United’s XI for today’s game: De Gea, Rafael, Evra, Vidic, Jones, Carrick, Cleverley, Zaha, Giggs, Van Persie, Welbeck.
Hello and welcome to the live blog for Manchester United’s first competitive game of the season vs Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield. Just under 30 minutes until kick-off.
Man Utd News 24/7
I don’t think Zaha and Januzaj will get much of a look in v Chelsea, Pool & City. It makes sense for Moyes to use experienced players there unless we are winning 3-0 and he can give the youngsters a run out.
What is still missing is a goal scoring MF. RVP and Rooney could both fire them off from distance but we have no one Scholes like who can contribute regularly from MF.
Does anyone know how long until Nani is back. He was looking sharp and I would love it if he stays fit plays well and extends his contract.
NBI – not really. He claimed he wanted to sign long term with united and his dad deals with things, he just has to work hard and focus which he has done. I can understand your doubts and until he signs, nothing is guaranteed but he has a good temprament, he isn’t feeling too big for his boots, he’s one of the best talents coming through and would be a massive fuck-up if the lad wants to stay and united let him leave but I think he will sign soon enough, moyes can see the ability and will be pushing woodward to get things moving as dodgy juve and barca are sniffing.
@NBI
Good point about his experience. I was all for giving Fabio a chance but with the fixtures you mentioned coming up it will probably be Jones instead. Good shout.
That shout SHUT the press up! All this talk about the team imploding and falling off the wagon without Wazza and SAF Lol!!! So pleased Zaha and Januzaj got a run out. But even more to see our team of established WINNERS show they are on form and ready!!!!!!
2-0 – ONE GAME, ONE WIN!!!! ONE CUP!!!!!! ONE RVP!!!! ONE CLEAN SHEET!!!! ONE SPECIAL ONE TO KICK TO THE CURB!!!!
21 HERE WE COME….!!!!!!
And yeah – agree with most comments, love Cleverly, really wanted him to do well being a Youth team product, but he is stuck in a rut on repeat. No range, no vision, does the same thing every game, too limited for this level, he’s playing himself out of United. Ando on the other hand, surprisingly, playing himself in.
Carrick, RVP, Evra, Vida – best players today.
Zaha, beautiful exciting player, needs to work on decision making but that will come. The crowd was entertained by him. It was all us fans there, hardly saw a Wigan shirt. Januzaj looked good when he came on, gave old Wigan a kick in the head. That’ll teach them to get so close. It was interesting watching Januzaj when medals were being collected, him and Zaha seemed shy to celebrate like the senior players who were going crazy and enjoying the moment. Zaha looked a bit like he did not know what to do, Januzaj on the other hand, looked calm, he did not celebrate too much, just stood and took in the crowd and surveyed it like his domain. Ronnie b-day. Ronnie arrogance. Love it.
ONWARDS!!!! LETS THRASH THE WELSH!!!!!
Let’s thrash the Welsh indeed!!! It will be no easy game for Swansea either.
This is our first proper team game against reasonable opposition. Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and City have played stronger and better opposition than we have. This may mean that they are more match fit and more ready to play at a high level than we are. Experience and a strong defence will be key to the coming matches, if we can not concede and stay in it, you back us to nick a goal.
Rafael is a huge blow but with Rio, Vida and Evra fit the defence should be solid. Carrick fit, tick. RVP fit, tick. The rest is a bit is an unknown, no idea who will play or who the starting XI is. It looks like Giggs, Ando, Kagwa and Clev will be rotated in MF. Zaha, Nani, Valencia, Young, Lingard rotated on wings. Welbeck, Pea, Januzaj in and out.
Sure starters when fit: De Gea, Rafael, Rio, Vida, Evra, Carrick, RVP. Rest of the team could be anyone.
MOYES – 1: MAUREEN PHASE II – 0.
Let’s keep it that way.
Looks like Suarez and Rooney both staying.
Maybe we can send Rooney on loan and swap for Gustavo for a year. That would be a win win. I am sure some foreign team need Rooney that have a good defensive mid extra, why not loan him out. Let him see what other Clubs are like.
@NBI
Mourinho is a sad act. Still reckon they’ll win the league, by hook AND by crook!
@nbi
No player of Rooney’s stature would go on loan.. And Bayern don’t need him really.. Gustavo is decent lets see if we put in a bid
@ The Truth – I don’t think Maureen will win the league. Last season their defence was suspect and its the same defence. Their MF is great but leaves gaps at the back to exploit hence many lower ranked teams scored against them. Their strikers are ok, no one world class or that strikes fear into the hearts of opponents. Benitez was a good coach for the, I don’t think Maureen will make them play better. He will make them more defensive and rigid. They will be harder to break down but also easier to defend against.
@spidey
Actually top players do occasionally go on loan, for all sorts of reasons. Don’t think that’s the solution in this case though, especially as no cunt seems to want Rooney other than Chelsea! I bet Stretford thought he’d spark a bidding war among all the world’s top clubs when it came out that Rooney wanted to leave United. Been a bit of a rude awakening for them. The only interest they’ve had is a couple of bids in the Stuart Downing/Jordan Henderson kind of price range from Chelsea! Seems nobody else rates Rooney as highly as himself and his agent do.
I’ve been disappointed with utd’s style of play for the last 4 years.I just don’t enjoy watching them as much as I did between 2006-2009.The team used to be so much more exciting than they are now.Yes they won the league but man utd is about exciting and attacking football since the Busby days.And its mainly because players like young, valencia and cleverley are not exciting.To be honest we havn’t looked the same since ronaldo left.It seemed like we had to grind out all our results last season which pissed me off.Hopefully players such as zaha, januzaj, lingard and powell bring back the excitement man utd deserve
Finally! Let the games begin!!!
A win!!! LOL!!!
Let’s see wot the press scum write now.
CHAMPIONS WIN AGAIN!!!! Not going to knock us over that easy!!!! Haha….!!!! 3rd favourites my arse.
Or maybe I’ve just been spoiled lol!
soccerman. Yep you’re spoilt. Some people never happy.
Samuel is spot on. Carrick is playing the role he’s played from day one at United. I fucking hate all this defensive midfielder bullshit. Midfielders should be able to get up and down the park. Guess it’s all this footy manager bullshit and DMs and CAMs and all that bollocks.
Well done lads.
Top players may go but not a person of rooney’s mentality I am sure.. Stretford sure got himself and rooney in a bad situation.. The situation at united seems to be too spoiled for him to come back and earn the love of fans and players again.. The rentboys and oil clubs will all be there to pay shitloads but I guess everyone realized that rooney is a gamble and were not willing to take the risk… Its a shame really he could have gone on to become our all time top scorer.. I secretly hope things turn better and he can play coz if in form and shape he is one of the best in the world but that seems crazy to think now
Just got back to Salford from wembley don’t know how things looked on tv but at times we where poor ,not creative, RVP frustrated at midfield, saw him encouraging to press a lot of times, Clevs looked off the pace again surly we cant start with giggsy again this season we need to freshen things up!! have to admit we missed Rooney!
Congrats to the lads, especially the new ones and David Moyes on their first trophy with this great club….many more to come. I wish Rafael a speedy recovery.