United Beyond Manchester

After a difficult pre-season, Manchester United fell in penalties to the rivals in blue. Manchester City broke their streak of Community Shield losses, as Manuel Akanji buried the winning penalty for City. The signs were encouraging for United, however, and Alejandro Garnacho looks like he could have a monster season.

Match Flow

Manchester City dominated much of the early going. The Cityzens created multiple chances, and James McAtee hit the post after a Lisandro Martinez giveaway. The positive for United was that Erling Haaland was kept quiet and failed to get a shot off.

Eventually, United settled in and started to create real chances. Amad Diallo was the danger man for the Reds. His changes of pace had the City back line on the back foot, and he nearly created a fantastic goal for Mason Mount. Marcus Rashford had a glorious opportunity created by Casemiro, but his shot was far wide.

The rust for both sides was evident in the first half. City had more possession, but neither side had a shot on target.

Bruno Fernandes nearly put the Reds ahead early in the second half with a stunning strike from outside the box. However, he was a step offside when making his run, and the score remained level.

Manchester United’s gameplan continued to be effective, and Marcus Rashford should have scored in the 75th minute. Substitute Alejandro Garnacho set Rashford up perfectly with an early ball across, but the English winger hit the post, and another opportunity was wasted.

Finally, in the 82nd minute, Garnacho broke the deadlock with a fabulous weak-foot finish. Bruno Fernandes slid a perfect outside-of-the-foot pass wide to the Argentine winger, who cut in on his left and found the corner of Ederson’s net. This goal made it back-to-back games at Wembley on the scoresheet for him.

In the dying embers of the match, Bernardo Silva equalized for City with a header from an Oscar Bobb cross. The Portuguese attacker scored the leveler on his 30th birthday to force penalties, which his side won 7-6.

Player of the Match

Alejandro Garnacho will go from young star to superstar this season. The Argentine winger was threatening off the right and took his goal calmly. His confidence is at an all-time high, and it showed in the way he carried himself today. His penalty was perfectly placed as well.

Player Ratings

Andre Onana: 5 – Distribution was poor and his antics did not work in the shootout.
Lisandro Martinez: 5 – Decent but allowed Bobb the space to cross for the equalizer.
Harry Maguire: 6 – Solid in the back on the day United secure De Ligt.
Jonny Evans: 6 – Defended well against Haaland. Horrible penalty.
Diogo Dalot: 6 – Decent in the back but did not add to the attack.
Casemiro: 6 – Much better today than in pre-season.
Kobbie Mainoo: 6 – A quiet day for the England international.
Bruno Fernandes: 7 – Took over at times in the second half. Great assist for Garancho.
Mason Mount: 5 – Not enough to convince that deserves a starting role.
Amad Diallo: 7 – The Ivorian winger continued his fine form from pre-season and was United’s most dangerous player before being subbed off.
Marcus Rashford: 4 – May find himself on the bench to start the Premier League season. Missed multiple big chances.

Scott McTominay: 5 – Missed a good chance but took his penalty well.
Alejandro Garnacho: 9 – Came off the benched and made a huge impact immediately. Fantastic goal.
Facundo Pellistri: 5 – Forced to play out of position and was beat by Silva for the goal.
Toby Collyer: 5- No real impact.
Jadon Sancho: Missed his penalty.

Looking Ahead

Manchester United start the Premier League season against Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday before a trip to the Amex on the 24th.