Football Update – Manchester United win FA Community Shield

WRITTEN BY SEAN COOK

David Moyes began his Manchester United managerial career by lifting the Football Association Community Shield – the pre season competition between the FA Cup champions and Premier League winners. The Red Devils beat Owen Coyle’s newly relegated Wigan Athletic side by two goals to nil in the final at London’s Wembley stadium.

The game began very emphatically with Wigan pushing forward attempting to give new manager Owen Coyle a good start to his career at the club. However despite new signing Grant Holt with early possession for the blue and white stripes, Manchester United’s Robin van Persie scored on the sixth minute to gift the Northern side the lead in the 90,000 seater stadium.

The Scotsman (Moyes) then enjoyed watching his side endure long spells of attacking football however Wigan did impress pundits with good passing and technical play but with the score at 1-0 at the half way stage, on lookers couldn’t help but think the Premier League champions should have been level with Wigan as player-coach Ryan Giggs continued to show the ability he has presented to crowds for years as well as Wigan providing good goal threats.

Wigan however did enjoy several successful periods of football. With Owen Coyle’s traditional ‘lofting the ball forward’ style of play, Wigan placed some threatening balls into the box but despite small mistakes from the United keeper and defence, they couldn’t break the United line. But despite the Latics constant threat, United scored again through Dutchman Robin van Persie with his second of the day on the 59^th minute completing a clever move of play by Tom Cleverly – the young Englishman.

The Red’s players marched up the famous Wembley steps to lift the trophy and because it was David Moyes’ first trophy of his reign, they let him lift the large silver shield.

A day at Wembley is particularly memorable for all and despite it not being considered a ‘major’ trophy, it will give the Manchester United team a small boost into the season which could be challenging due to a lack of signings and the famous Sir Alex Ferguson retiring. Owen Coyle provided Wigan fans with confidence heading into the season after a good display against Barnsley on the opening day and a challenging yet creative defeat to the Champions of England.