SUPER NANI
MANCHESTER UTD (3) vs MANCHESTER CITY (2)
Winger seals comeback as Rooney taunts City
MANCHESTER UNITED striker Wayne Rooney last night taunted his Manchester City counterparts, claiming they were handed a “footballing lesson” after Nani’s injury-time goal ensured the season’s first piece of silverware will reside at Old Trafford.
The FA Community Shield looked to be headed to the newly named Etihad Stadium at half-time, after goals from Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko – both of which could have been prevented by United’s debutant goalkeeper David de Gea – put City ahead.
But United roared back after the break with goals from Chris Smalling and Nani, before the Portuguese winger capitalised on indecision between Gael Clichy and Vincent Kompany, ran half the length of the field, rounded Joe Hart and sent the red half of Wembley into raptures of delight.
Afterwards Rooney wrote on Twitter: “Have to say I think today was a footballing lesson. Great win for the champions.”
He added: “This shows who the best team is. All game we dominated. The difference the young lads made was outstanding. We’re champions and we’re the team to beat. We want to prove that.”
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson agreed the most pleasing aspect of the victory was provided by the impact his young players made, although the Scot could still compliment them with the addition of Wesley Sneijder.
The Dutch international, also a City target, admitted last night he would be sold should a suitable offer be tabled, with his club, Inter Milan, “in need of money”.
It would appear that City are in greater need of Sneijder’s services on yesterday’s evidence, however.
They were flattered by the lead given to them by Lescott’s header and Dzeko’s speculative blast from distance, and capitulated once Smalling poked United back into the contest.
Though Nani’s first was a sublime team effort, his winner was eminently preventable, but prompted only a typically measured response from manager Roberto Mancini.
He said: “When you go up 2-0 I think you need to control the ball and the game because a game like this can change very suddenly.”