Man City 1-1 Man Utd (7-6 on pens): Manuel Akanji converts winning spot-kick as champions claim silverware (2024)

Manchester City won the Community Shield with a 7-6 penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United following a 1-1 draw at Wembley.

Manuel Akanji hit the winning spot-kick after Jonny Evans had sent his effort over the bar, ensuring the champions avoided a second consecutive Wembley loss to the FA Cup winners.

United substitute Alejandro Garnacho appeared to have won it for United in normal time when he latched onto a Bruno Fernandes pass in the 82nd minute, cut inside from the right flank and fired a clinical finish beyond the reach of a full-stretch Ederson.

• As it happened: How Man City edged Man Utd
• How the teams lined up at Wembley | Match stats
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But City regained their composure and found an equaliser in the penultimate minute of the 90 as Bernardo Silva, another substitute, beat Facundo Pellistri in the air to power a fine header past Andre Onana from the impressive Oscar Bobb's cross.

Earlier in a tightly-contested game, James McAtee, starting in City's midfield along with 19-year-old Nico O'Reilly, had struck the post, while Manchester United had gone agonisingly close to a brilliant team goal when Amad Diallo's pass across goal just eluded the onrushing Fernandes.

United had the better of the chances overall, with the wasteful Marcus Rashford striking the woodwork from one of several opportunities and Pep Guardiola seen throwing his water bottle to the floor in frustration at his side's performance at the end of the first period.

The City boss was smiling at the end, though, with Akanji's winning penalty coming after an earlier miss from Silva and, from United, a miss from Jadon Sancho, whose effort was superbly saved by Ederson, as well as Evans.

United will take encouragement from the way they performed, though, and were boosted by news of a deal agreed for Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt shortly before kick-off.

Pep praises McAtee, Bobb, Savinho

Man City boss Pep Guardiola:

"We could have lost today but of course I saw many things I liked.

"The first 35 minutes were beyond excellent for the time we have been together. Manuel [Akanji] and Ruben [Dias] played only three training sessions.

"We are still far from our best but that's normal. We have won a trophy and that is nice."

On James McAtee and Oscar Bobb's performances: "They have the standards to be here. Especially McAtee. I know him from a long time ago. Today he played really good.

"Oscar, we saw him last season. The most important thing is they have the confidence of the squad. They adore them and they can rely on them."

On whether Bobb could replicate Cole Palmer's success: "That would be great because Cole Palmer's success at Chelsea last season was unbelievable. He was one of the best players in the Premier League.

"It will depend. Cole played every single game [last season]. I'm pretty sure if Oscar played a lot of minutes, he could do many good things."

On new signing Savinho's impact from the bench: "He had a good impact. I think when playing left he will help Erling to score goals. Look how we scored [today], byline and cross.

"Always with the wingers, I ask that when you have a good feeling, attack the opponent. You have to do it and he did it really well in the 30-35 minutes he played."

Ten Hag: We have to feel the pain

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag said:

"We are disappointed. We have to feel the pain. Everyone feels the pain and that is a good sign. But also, I see some positives. We did well but we couldn't win the game."

On Marcus Rashford's misses: "I think he was several times in very good positions. I was very pleased he's getting in those positions.

"I know that if he keeps making those movements, and the team make those movements, he will score goals.

"He is experienced enough to deal with this. Once he scores one, the goals will come."

On Casemiro's improved performance: "He has had a pre-season for [the first time in] a long time, so he is in very good shape at the moment.

"I think that as a team we worked very well together, and that makes it easier for him, and then he is a good football player, and he can bring his ability, and then you see that it is important for the game and for our team."

On whether he expects Casemiro to stay at the club: "I don't have any idea or signal that he is not [staying] and we are very happy with that."

Analysis: City find a way to win

Sky Sports' Nick Wright at Wembley:

Guardiola's side have not fared well in the Community Shield in recent years, losing the previous three consecutive editions to Leicester, Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.

It seemed they were heading for defeat number four when Garnacho found the bottom corner, giving United what felt like a deserved lead. But City showed their capacity to dig deep.

Bernardo's equaliser was borne out of pure desire as he overpowered Pellistri to meet Bobb's cross in emphatic style and another recovery was needed in the shoot-out when the same player failed to convert City's opening penalty.

Sancho's miss gave them another chance and this time they seized it, with debutant Savinho, goalkeeper Ederson, Matheus Nunes and, finally, Akanji converting to hand City yet another piece of silverware as they prepare to defend their Premier League crown.

Analysis: Reasons for positivity for Man Utd

Sky Sports' Nick Wright at Wembley:

Manchester United will rue their failure to hold onto the lead after Garnacho's brilliantly-taken opener but this, for the most part, was a positive afternoon for Ten Hag and his players.

As in the FA Cup final at the same ground 77 days earlier, they were able to cause the champions serious problems, slicing through them on more than one occasion with intricate passing moves and leaning heavily on their young stars.

Kobbie Mainoo, Diallo and Garnacho all caught the eye and 20-year-old Toby Collyer also appeared from the bench. There were strong displays from more experienced heads as well, with Fernandes excelling and Casemiro looking much-improved on last season at the base of midfield.

There was no run-out for new signing Joshua Zirkzee, who remained an unused substitute on this occasion, but the former Bologna striker is set to be followed by more reinforcements as the club look for an improved showing on last season's Premier League campaign.

What's coming up in the Premier League?

The wait is nearly over. Manchester United will kick off the new Premier League season at home to Fulham on Friday night, live on Sky Sports, with kick-off at 8pm.

The game is one of five matches live on Sky Sports on the opening weekend of the season, including West Ham vs Aston Villa on Saturday Night Football, a Super Sunday double header of Brentford vs Crystal Palace and Chelsea vs Manchester City, before Leicester vs Tottenham round off the weekend's action on Monday Night Football.