In another Manchester derby at Wembley, the curtain raiser of the season saw United and City clash again as holders of the FA Cup and Premier League respectively. With a glorified friendly being an opportunity for early silverware, the game was similar to the FA Cup final last year in which United set up to stifle their opponents, and almost came away with another success but with the fate of penalties hanging over the club, it wasn’t to be.

As always, if you have any thoughts on Manchester United this season or in this specific game, get in touch with us by leaving a comment, following us on X (@NextGoalWinBlog) or Instagram (@NextGoalWin) and check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner).

Teams

Manchester United head into their new season with some interesting decisions from Ten Hag. With Fernandes playing the false 9 role, this was reminiscent of last seasons FA Cup success, while Martinez took on a left-back role due to availability. There’s still plenty to be decided in this United squad, but this selection raised even more questions.

For City, they started with a mixed XI, using several young talents to start the game, but calling upon their experienced heads to see it out. Haaland continued to lead the line ahead of another expectant season, but was limited in his chances throughout thanks to the United approach.

Manchester City: Ederson, Gvardiol (Ake 90′), Dias, Akankji, Lewis, Kovacic, McAtee (Silva 80′), O’Reily (Nunes 63′), Doku (Savinho 63′), Haaland, Bobb (De Bruyne 90′)

Subs: Carson, Ortega, Kabore, Phillips

Manchester United: Onana, Martinez, Evans, Maguire (Pellistri 58′), Dalot, Mainoo (Collyer 59′), Casemiro, Rashford (Sancho 83′), Mount (McTominay 58′), Amad (Garnacho 59′), Fernandes

Subs: Bayindir, Eriksen, Antony, Zirkzee

Manchester City (7)1-1(6) Manchester United

It was a tense, cagey first half at Wembley Stadium as both sides probed but failed to find a breakthrough. Manchester City looked slick at times, their pace down the flanks from the likes of Oscar Bobb and Jérémy Doku caused a few moments of alarm for United’s defence, but ultimately efforts including a promising strike from James McAtee came to nothing. United, for their part, offered glimpses of danger, with Amad Diallo weaving in and out on the right, though a combination-play with Casemiro and Mason Mount failed to yield a clear opening. At the break it stayed goalless, the kind of quiet before the storm typical of a fierce derby.

As the second half wore on, the game gradually opened up. City remained a threat down the wings, and almost broke through when McAtee struck the post after a defensive slip from United. But it was United who drew first blood, substitute Alejandro Garnacho, lively and direct, cut in from the right and tucked a composed finish into the bottom corner in the 82nd minute to put United ahead. The moment looked like it might settle the trophy. Yet City refused to surrender: just as momentum seemed to be slipping away, a fluid move down the right saw Bobb cross toward the far post, where Bernardo Silva rose to head home in the 89th minute, sparking wild cheers and sending the game to a penalty shootout.

In the shoot-out, nerves were high, and while Silva saw his first penalty saved, City held firm. Their players displayed the composure needed under pressure: goalkeeper Éderson pulled off a crucial save from Jadon Sancho, and when United’s Jonny Evans sent his effort over, it fell to Manuel Akanji to seal the win, coolly slotting his spot-kick down the centre to hand City their first Community Shield since 2019. It was a fitting opening to the season, a mix of drama, grit and a touch of derby-day magic.

Talking Points

Manchester United missed out on silverware, falling just short in the 2024 Community Shield after a 1-1 draw and a narrow penalty-shootout defeat to Manchester City. For Erik ten Hag’s side, it was a familiar frustration: competitive, organised, and spirited, but ultimately without the tangible reward to show for it. Alejandro Garnacho’s late opener briefly hinted at a statement win to kick-start United’s season, only for City’s late equaliser and sharper finishing in the shootout to deny them what would’ve been a confidence-boosting trophy.

It also added another chapter to the now-familiar staging of Manchester derbies under the Wembley arch. In recent seasons, England’s national stadium has become the backdrop for rivalry-defining moments between the clubs, and this latest meeting carried the same intensity, even if it was “only” the Community Shield. City’s late leveller, United’s spells of sharp counter-attacking, and the edge in the stands all contributed to the growing sense that Wembley is becoming a second home for this matchup.

Despite the defeat, United emerged with reasons for quiet optimism. Their structure out of possession looked clearer, the midfield showed improved balance, and their young attackers, particularly Garnacho and Amad, offered real threat against one of Europe’s best defences. While losing on penalties will sting, the performance suggested United are capable of competing at a higher level this season. They weren’t perfect, but they looked far from outclassed, and that, in itself, is encouragement for what lies ahead.