United, no doubt to the surprise of many Reds, actually managed to win the Charity (Community) Shield today. As ever, they did it the hard way having to overcome Fergie's arch nemesis Jose Mourinho.
Until today, the Sir Alex has only managed one victory in all competitions when he's faced the Portuguese manager. The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes with Giggs on target midway through the opening period after good work by Vidic and Evra who pulled the ball back from the dead-ball line for the Welshman who scored his first ever Wembley goal with a neat finish.
Chelsea hit back on the stroke of half time when new signing Malouda muscled out Ferdinand to score a very good goal.
As far as Charity Shields go, this wasn't such a bad game, but it was United who were marginally the better side, though not unexpectedly after the game Mourinho saw the game differently.
Not surprisingly the game was eventually decided on penalties and for a pleasant change the Red Devils went on to win with Van Der Sar saving all three of Chelsea's efforts. At the other end Petra Cech could do nothing about the spot-kicks from Ferdinand, Carrick and Rooney. Wayne Rooney got the winner which gave him the opportunity to tell the Chelsea fans, who'd been barracking the former Everton man to button it.
After watching these two sides in what was a full blown competitive match it remains to be seen what if anything this match will mean in the context of the new season.
The traditional curtain raiser to the new season has always been about getting that extra match sharpness under your belt before the real action starts, today was no different for either side, but the injury situation at both clubs is worth commenting on.
From United's perspective, the only injury concern is Paul Scholes, but he should be back fairly soon and so the Reds look to be in pretty good shape.
Fergie has confirmed that Tevez and Hargreaves will get a run out in midweek when United travel to Northern Ireland to face Glentoran. So more good news there for Fergie and the Reds.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been rocked by the news that John Terry could be out for up to four weeks and Didier Drogba, the blues main man, is set to go for a scan.
Today's win for United actually counts for little but if Chelsea are without Terry and Drogba for any length of time, it could be significant, especially if the Reds can like last season get off to flying start. Other Premiership sides will also fancy their chances against Chelsea without the two central rocks of the Chelsea squad.
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