Jonny Weeks August 7, 2011

Community Shield: Manchester City v Manchester United – in pictures

The best images from this year's Community Shield at Wembley as Manchester City and Manchester United open the season with an absorbing match

Community Shield: Manchester City v Manchester United — The two halves of Manchester meet at Wembley once again, but this time it's a Charity Shield (nay, Community Shield) at stake rather than a place in the FA Cup final, as was the case in April. Needless to say the flag merchants are looking to cash in on the willingness of both sets of supporters to parade their chosen colours
Photograph: Laurence Griffiths / The FA via Getty Images Photograph: Laurence Griffiths - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

football2: Manchester City vs Manchester United — United's summer signing Ashley Young flourishes in the first half. City's back four are so static Young is free to run at them every time he gets the ball Photograph: Kerim Okten/EPA

football3: Manchester City vs Manchester United — It's a predictably physical affair, as Patrice Evra and David Silva get to know each other Photograph: Kerim Okten/EPA

football2: Manchester City v Manchester United - FA Community Shield — Wayne Rooney gets rather personal with Micah Richards Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

football3: Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League — Which reminds us of our all-time favourite Manchester derby picture featuring a rather pained Rio Ferdinand being straddled by the eager Carlos Tevez Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

football: sport — Anyway, having survived intense United pressure from the opening whistle, City open the scoring in the 38th minute. Joleon Lescott glances home Silva's cross as United's new keeper David de Gea flails in vain Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

football: Manchester City v Manchester United - FA Community Shield — Lescott is congratulated by his team-mates. Doubtless they're all feeling fortunate to be a goal up Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

football: Manchester City vs Manchester United — In first-half injury-time City's players are celebrating again as Edin Dzeko's speculative effort finds the net. That will have to go down as a mistake by De Gea, who got his footwork all wrong and failed to save a shot that was close to the centre of the goal Photograph: Kerim Okten/EPA

football: Manchester City v Manchester United - FA Community Shield — United return for the second-half having made three changes, though it's Chris Smalling, who started the match, who reduces the deficit when he volleys Young's dangerous cross into the net from close range in the 52nd minute
Photograph: Laurence Griffiths / The FA via Getty Images Photograph: Laurence Griffiths - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

football: Manchester City v Manchester United - FA Community Shield — Six minutes later, United expose City's defence with a succession of intricate passes involving Nani, Rooney and Tom Cleverley. Two back-heels, a deft final ball and a delicate finish comprise what will surely be considered one of the goals of the season
Photograph: Laurence Griffiths / The FA via Getty Images Photograph: Laurence Griffiths - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

football2: FBL-ENG-MANCITY-MANUTD — At 2-2, the battle is on ... Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

football: sport — That'll go down as an unfortunate photograph for both Yaya Touré and Anderson Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

football: sport — Four minutes into injury time, Nani breaks from the halfway line after Vincent Kompany miscontrols a bouncing ball that was left to him by Gaël Clichy. Nani advances on keeper Joe Hart and when the opportunity of a chip is prevented he dodges to the goalkeeper's right and slots the ball into the near corner Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

football: sport — Kompany throws his hands to his head and himself to the floor as Nani celebrates Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

football: Manchester City v Manchester United - FA Community Shield — Just look at how much it means to him Photograph: Laurence Griffiths - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

football2: sport — ... and to his team-mates, Cleverley and Young pictured here Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

football: Soccer - FA Community Shield — Kompany wears an awkward expression as he traipses down from the Royal box, City having collected their medals Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

football: Manchester United's Vidic — It's then time for United's captain, Nemanja Vidic, to lift the trophy - their 19th shield no less Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

football: Manchester City v Manchester United - FA Community Shield — So much for this being a friendly. United players celebrate like they've just won the cup Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images

football2: sport — Sir Alex Ferguson looks delighted too. His side were magnificent at times today and their resilience to come from two goals down will be especially pleasing to the Scotsman Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images

football: Manchester City v Manchester United - FA Community Shield — Contrast that with the City manager, Roberto Mancini, who looks rather shocked. With the season starting next weekend, this defeat is an untimely blow for his club Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images

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