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United emerged victorious yet again as they clinched the Charity Shield for the second time in as many years. A goalless draw after 90 minutes saw the match being settled by a penalty shootout which ended 3-1 in favour of the Red Devils as both teams got a good pre-season workout before the start of the season proper the following week.
United fielded a squad missing 2 of their key starlets, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, and began the match with a makeshift midfield which had Irishman John O'Shea holding the central midfield position and winger Nani on the left. The match also welcomed a first competitive start for skipper Gary Neville at the right back berth after a long hiatus from the senior squad due to injuries. Again, as with the start of last season United were without a recognized target man in attack. Something which Ferguson hopes to resolve before the Magpies game next Sunday.
Manchester United: Van der Sar; Neville (Brown 67), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Fletcher, O'Shea (Carrick 67), Scholes, Nani (Campbell 79); Giggs, Tevez.Subs not used: Kuszczak, J Evans, Possebon, R da Silva.
Booked: Vidic, Neville
Portsmouth: James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson (Lauren 80); Diop, Mendes (Mvuemba 76), Diarra, Kranjcar (Utaka 60); Crouch, Defoe.Subs not used: Ashdown, Sahar, Cranie, Traore.
Booked: Distin
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United emerged victorious yet again as they clinched the Charity Shield for the second time in as many years. A goalless draw after 90 minutes saw the match being settled by a penalty shootout which ended 3-1 in favour of the Red Devils as both teams got a good pre-season workout before the start of the season proper the following week.
United fielded a squad missing 2 of their key starlets, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, and began the match with a makeshift midfield which had Irishman John O'Shea holding the central midfield position and winger Nani on the left. The match also welcomed a first competitive start for skipper Gary Neville at the right back berth after a long hiatus from the senior squad due to injuries. Again, as with the start of last season United were without a recognized target man in attack. Something which Ferguson hopes to resolve before the Magpies game next Sunday.
Manchester United: Van der Sar; Neville (Brown 67), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Fletcher, O'Shea (Carrick 67), Scholes, Nani (Campbell 79); Giggs, Tevez.Subs not used: Kuszczak, J Evans, Possebon, R da Silva.
Booked: Vidic, Neville
Portsmouth: James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson (Lauren 80); Diop, Mendes (Mvuemba 76), Diarra, Kranjcar (Utaka 60); Crouch, Defoe.Subs not used: Ashdown, Sahar, Cranie, Traore.
Booked: Distin
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For most of the match, United seemed to have dominated and as with many others, I felt that the standard of our play was clearly superior and we had mantained it well for a better part of the game. Tevez looked lively as usual and was deservedly awarded the Man of the Match. The defence was looking air-tight too as I was made to almost forget that Crouch and Defoe were playing at times. Rio is truly showing that this could be another classy season for him.
However, all the superb passing and movement failed to mask the obvious fact that we still need a clinical finisher in the squad to finish off the abundance of chances that we usually create in matches.
I'm really hoping that the news of an imminent arrival of either Henry or Berbatov materialises before the end of this week...
Other than that, judging from how were playing throughout, we certainly look ready to lay claim to honors on all fronts again this season ;)
Newcastle, here we come!
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