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Manchester United took on Manchester City in the Community Shield, which acts as the traditional curtain raiser for the English football season.
The Red Devils were aiming to win the shield for the 22nd time in their history and it was their third match against their city rivals in the competition.
Andre Onana started in goal with Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire forming the centre back partnership. Diogo Dalot made his first pre-season appearance of the season on the right and Lisandro Martinez did likewise but from the unfamiliar spot of left back.
Kobbie Mainoo partnered Casemiro in the midfield with Mason Mount taking up a more advanced position. Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo started on the wings and Bruno Fernandes started in the false nine position.
Here are three things we learned on a hot Wembley afternoon.
Amad Diallo continues strong pre-season form
Manchester United struggled to get much possession in the first 30 minutes of the game but were much more of a threat in the last 15 of the half.
The 21 year old was a big reason for this as he continued his electric form from the United States tour. He was quick-footed and skillful and was the catalyst for most of what United did right in an attacking sense until he was surprisingly taken off after 60 minutes.
He combined well with Mason Mount and Casemiro down the right hand side as he carved through the City defence, but hit a weak shot wide. His second big moment came when he probably should have shot himself but laid the ball onto Mason Mount who hadn’t quite read the play, as the ball drifted out of play.
Casemiro showed promise
The Brazilian was a much-maligned figure last season as he put in numerous poor performances in the centre of the park.
In fact he was actually left out of the FA Cup final last season but he was a steady presence in the midfield alongside an out of sorts Kobbie Mainoo.
The 32 year old did make his almost trademark unnecessary lunges at the ball a couple of times but otherwise put in a professional performance. He combined well down the right with Diallo and played a nice ball out to Marcus Rashford who should have at least hit the target from a promising position.
Casemiro also played a couple of nice long balls over the top, one that sent Bruno Fernandes through on goal but he shot straight at the keeper.
The former Real Madrid midfielder was also an active presence from a defensive perspective as he helped break up a lot of City’s attacks in the first half and continued this by chasing down and blocking Jeremy Doku’s path to goal early in the second.
Shoots of promise in possession
Playing out from the back and gaining more control of the match was something Erik ten Hag has tried to implement more in pre-season and many questioned whether this would be attempted against possession kings City.
The Red Devils had barely any possession in the first 30 minutes of play but did knit together a few good moves in the final 15 minutes.
In the FA Cup final success, United were fantastic in transition and playing over the top but this game was more about one-twos and quick feet, largely sparked by Diallo in the first half.
The beginning of the second half also followed this trend, as United had much control of the ball and play . They were the better team in the final 45, with their pressure final paying off when substitute Alejandro Garnacho finished off an adventurous run, before they were pegged back by a late City equaliser.
Passing out from the back still remained a problem as Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire struggled to stay on the same wavelength as Andre Onana, but fans will be hopeful the imminent signing of Matthijs de Ligt and Martinez moving back centrally will aid this issue.
Ten Hag’s side showed they still had the ability to hit City over the top with Rashford hitting the post and Bruno Fernandes’ wonderful goal that was ruled out for offside. If United can master both forms of attack, it would be quite the arsenal to call upon throughout the season.
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