The stage is set for the new season: Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United (7-6 pens) - FA Community Shield Review

Just under a week ago I wrote in these pages that Manchester United were likely to be destroyed by their sky-blue rivals in Sunday’s Community Shield. My blushes were spared by Manchester City’s success in the penalty shootout, but it is fair to say that the season opener was a far more even affair than many might have predicted - even if the end result was not such a surprise.

An even match?

What the Community Shield lacks in prestige compared with other English trophies it certainly makes up for in intrigue. Although one match tells you nothing these days, it can serve as an exciting indicator of what the top teams can offer this season; their relative quality, and whether the players have returned from holiday refreshed or on the ropes.

Many, including myself, who expected the Premier League champions to wipe the floor with the FA Cup winners were pleasantly surprised as the first half, while lacking in goals, served up an entertaining and relatively even spectacle. Both United and City could have easily taken the lead at several points during the match, but it was actually United whose wastefulness cost them a good few goalscoring opportunities. Amad Diallo will rue his decision to pass to Mason Mount inside the six yard box rather than attempt to fire past Ederson, as the ball bobbled meekly away and the match remained goalless.

An even worse day was had by Marcus Rashford, who missed two crucial chances at opposite ends of the pitch. While the first was a tricky shot at a wide angle that the striker ultimately passed wide of the goal, the second was perhaps a more straightforward task. Nonetheless, Rashford’s effort struck the woodwork and bounced out, and if it were not so illogical I would assume that Erik ten Hag would have been tearing his hair out at United’s failure to establish a lead.

Better late than never

The crowd at Wembley waited patiently, and in the end their prayers were answered. Alejandro Garnacho, who may well be a revelation this season, finally put the Red Devils ahead in the 82nd minute with a sublime effort into the bottom corner.

Those who might have thought it was all over at that point would be forced to think again. Not generally one to stand head and shoulders above the rest, it was Bernardo Silva who met Oscar Bobb’s cross to put his side level on his 30th birthday. In the nick of time too; four minutes later referee Jarrad Gillett blew his whistle to signal the end of normal time. A penalty shootout awaited the two Manchester sides.

Penalty heartbreak

Penalties always produce scapegoats, and this shootout was no different. It looked as if Silva, having rescued his side at the death, might also be the one to lose City the match as his penalty was saved by Andre Onana. Dalot, de Bruyne, Garnacho and Haaland then all put their shots away before United’s Jadon Sancho was cruelly denied; penalties at Wembley are, sadly, not where the lad shines.

Seven more penalties hit the back of the net - including one from Ederson himself - by which point the shootout was well into sudden death at 6-6. Up stepped Jonny Evans, who, to put it bluntly, had a howler. While twelve yards from goal is rarely ever a central defender’s natural environment, Evans shanked his shot over the crossbar and United were suddenly in trouble.

I never envy the penalty-taker who it all comes down to, but Manuel Akanji did not look too fazed. The Swiss international buried his penalty past Onana and the Premier League champions had triumphed in the Community Shield once again.

The best is yet to come

It is hard to assess what a team’s season might look like on the basis of the opening match. Although United looked decent going forward, I still firmly expect them to struggle this year despite their FA Cup triumph in May. City were not at their most deadly for a good chunk of Sunday’s match, but I would submit that they will continue to be by far the team to beat in what might be Pep Guardiola’s final season in charge.

Nevertheless, what we can be sure of is that this season will be full of twists, turns and surprises. Will City claim their record-extending fifth Premier League title in a row? Will United even be a match for them in the coming months? Will my estate agent ever give me my deposit back? We likely won’t know the answer to any of these for a good few months, but I for one can’t wait to find out!