A tepid, goalless, rain-soaked Community Shield clash saw a United side seem rather embarrassed to parade the trophy after a 3-1 win on penalties over Harry’s Portsmouth.
Here’s the notes and teams…
Man United 0 Portsmouth 0
(United win 3-1 on Penalties)
United took home their first piece of silverware, winning out in a penalty shoot-out in what was in truth a typically dire Community Shield encounter.
Ferguson’s men were dominant throughout but were too casual in their finishing. Indeed it was typical of United on the day that Tevez had to be held back from celebrating the victory with keeper Van der Sar after the penalty shoot-out victory, by his embarrassed team mates.
There were nonetheless plenty of signs of United’s flowing football, but Ferguson will be concerned that his side drew a second consecutive blank without Rooney in their lineup.
Fletcher had by far the best opportunity in the first half, somehow sitting on the ball from six yards out after Nani had caught out Johnson. He almost made amends in the second half with a delightful chip that James just finger-tipped onto the crossbar.
Man-of-the-match Tevez was so often the catalyst for United with a typical display of aggression, pace and power that nagged the Portsmouth defence all afternoon. He tested James on several occasions and should have had a penalty when he appeared to be dragged down by Hreidarsson in the second half. The offence went unseen, much to the frustration of Tevez who went on to throttle the Portsmouth man – also missed by the officials.
The Argentinian will be aware of Ferguson’s talk of signing another striker (with Henry the latest mentioned) and with Rooney to return by the end of August, that could obviously see Tevez rotated over the season. On the evidence of this game however, United are often going to be looking the way of Tevez for inspiration in the absence of Ronaldo.
In terms of the all important team lineups, perhaps the most significant news was that Gary Neville returned to right-back and skippered the side. Neville was eventually subbed for Brown just after the hour mark but it certainly appears that he has done enough to start against Newcastle next weekend. Clearly though, Neville carries the biggest threat of rotation amongst the established United back four.
There were some surprises elsewhere, as O’Shea got a start in central midfield, while Fletcher was employed on the right. Giggs was pushed up in support of Tevez up front. Nani was eligible to start on the left this match but will miss the next two through suspension after his sending off at the end of last season.
Nani’s absence should guarantee starts in the first two games for Giggs which should also see Fletcher start on the right. Given the recent lack of goals, Campbell could get an opportunity up front if Giggs is employed on the left. Alternatively it’s worth considering that Evra might be pushed into a left midfield role, with Silvestre drafted in at left back. This speculation all depends of course, on Ferguson being unable to bring in a “big name striker” in the next five days of course.
For Portsmouth, Redknapp fielded his strongest eleven with the possible exception of Pamarot who is sidelined. Hreidarsson took the left back spot. Diop appeared to take up the right side of midfield for this game – that still remains a problem area for Redknapp then.
Pompey played within themselves, often looking to restrict United but will of course have easier opposition – although that won’t come just yet. Their early fixtures are hideous – but their time will come and Crouch and Defoe will undoubtedly be popular fantasy picks over the season, as will James and his defence.
Man United: van der Sar; Neville (Brown 67), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Fletcher, O’Shea (Carrick 67), Scholes, Nani (Campbell 79); Giggs; Tevez
Portsmouth: James; Johnson, Campbell (c), Distin, Hreidarsson (Lauren 79); Diop, Diarra, Mendes (Mvuemba 76), Kranjcar (Utaka 60); Crouch, Defoe