Match Report: Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United (6-7 pens)

Manchester United suffered a gut-wrenching loss to Manchester City in the FA Community Shield, delivering an impressive attacking performance before slumping to a penalty shootout defeat.

It was a slow start to the match, with both sides seemingly content with passing the ball passively in an attempt to ease into the game.

Eight minutes in, Harry Maguire drove an opportunistic cross to Marcus Rashford on the left flank, however, he was unable to keep the ball in play. It was the first sign of attacking intent from Man United so far.

Following a prolonged period of City dominance, they decided to strike. While Andre Onana was able to block any danger, the ball went astray to Erling Haaland on the left, with Onana leaving his net to challenge him. Haaland’s lob towards the goalmouth was fortunately cleared by Jonny Evans.

23 minutes in, James McAtee weaved into United’s box, putting the ball past Onana only to be denied by the woodwork. Martinez would need to display more focus going forward, especially since it was his stray pass that City were able to intercept.

On the half-hour mark, Amad Diallo managed to get to the end of what was United’s first truly imposing attacking build-up. His shot narrowly veered past the far post.

Moments later, United’s best chance of the game arrived when Amad, Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandes all got involved in a rapid counter-attack filled with interwoven passes between the three. While Amad managed to break past the defence to collect a through ball from Casemiro, he decided to pass the ball into the centre rather than shoot, with the ball straying wide.

Eight minutes before the break, United launched another opportunistic attack, however, Rashford disappointingly blasted his shot wide from close range. He will certainly regret missing what was one of United’s closest scoring opportunities.

Going into the break, Erik ten Hag would be satisfied with his team’s composed first-half performance. He would no doubt want them to continue the hard work in the second half.

53 minutes in, the United fans were jubilant as Fernandes scored a cracking goal from outside the box, curving the ball into the far corner. Unfortunately, he was ruled offside. United are continuing to push the envelope in pursuit of an opening goal.

In the 58th minute, Ten Hag made four changes. Mount made way for Scott McTominay and Maguire came off for Facundo Pellistri, while Toby Collyer replaced Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho came on for Amad Diallo.

A cross from City sub Savinho soared past Onana toward Haaland who was just metres away from the goal. Fortunately, United could breathe a sigh of relief as Evans made a perfectly timed clearance.

Moments later, Fernandes breezed past the City defence to go one-on-one with the keeper, however, his shot was caught.

While a counter-attack was on at the opposite end, Lisandro Martinez made a sublime slide tackle on Matheus Nunes to send the ball out for a corner.

In the 75th minute, United were on the counter. Garnacho raced past the defence on the right flank, slotting a through ball to Rashford on the left. In a frustrating moment for United, Rashford’s shot hit the upright, unbelievably keeping the game goalless.

Three minutes later, Fernandes drilled in a deadly corner kick. Rashford directed his header to McTominay, who unfortunately was unable to connect with the pass.

With ten minutes left on the clock, Garnacho sparked to life. After receiving a long pass from Fernandes, the winger weaved his way into the box and slotted a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner, leaving the keeper with no chance of saving.

After the restart, Jadon Sancho replaced Rashford.

In the 88th minute, Bernardo Silva strayed into the box unmarked. Against the run of play, he headered the ball into the net to equalise. Ten Hag will be disappointed with the clear lapse in concentration by United, who had dominate the match up until this point.

Four minutes into five minutes of added time, Kevin de Bruyne drove a threatening pass into the box which Onana managed to save in order to prevent a devastating last-minute goal.

Moments later, the referee blew the final whistle, sending the match to a penalty shootout.

Fernandes fired United into a 1-0 lead as he sent Ederson the wrong way with his low penalty into the bottom right corner.

Bernardo Silva stepped up to take City’s first penalty, however, Onana held his ground to save his penalty.

Dalot stepped up to take United’s second, with the keeper getting a hand to it. Fortunately, his shot was hard enough to make it into the net regardless. 2-0.

De Bruyne hesitated before completing his run-up, sending Onana diving before putting the ball into the opposite corner. 2-1.

Garnacho expressed composure to send his penalty into the left-hand corner’s side-netting to hand United a 3-1 lead.

Erling Haaland took City’s third penalty, sending Onana the wrong way to make it 3-2.

Jadon Sancho suffered a haunting moment, sending the ball to the top right corner, however, Ederson got a hand to it. Still 3-2.

Savinho drove his penalty cooly into the left corner to equalise at 3-3.

Casemiro stepped up for United’s fifth penalty, scoring in the bottom right corner. With Ederson’s penalty sending Onana the wrong way, the match was tied at 4-4, sending the shootout to sudden death.

McTominay scored to take the pressure off United. It’s all down to Onana to save for the win.

Matheus Nunes sent his corner into the top corner, with Onana getting a hand to the ball. Still, it wasn’t enough to keep the ball out of the net.

Martinez sent Ederson the wrong way with his penalty, restoring United’s lead at 6-5.

Ruben Diaz sent a soft penalty down the line, however, Onana dived the wrong way to allow City to equalise.

Jonny Evans suffered a harrowing moment he would soon want to forget, ballooning his shot over the top. Manuel Akanji fired his shot into the top left corner to hand City the victory.

Ten Hag will be devastated by his team’s defeat given how dominant they were throughout the match. This is a prime example of how one error can lead to a goal that changes the course of the match.

Starting XI: Onana, Maguire, Martinez, Mount, Fernandes, Rashford, Amad, Casemiro, Dalot, Evans, Mainoo
Subs: McTominay, Pellistri, Garnacho, Collyer, Sancho

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