Community Shield matches can often be rather mundane – this year’s was a cracker, with Manchester United coming back from 2-0 down at half time to defeat Manchester City 3-2.

With a raft of changes at half time, it would be easy to say that it was a genius transformation by Sir Alex Ferguson at half time. In truth, United were the more positive and creative side for the majority of the game, and even at half time, they would have been pleased with the performance, if not the result.

This fixture often sees exciting new signings making their debut – but, perhaps surprisingly, all of City’s XI were at the club last season, and Roberto Mancini played a similar shape to in 2010/11. United, on the other hand, appeared a completely different side from the one which lost to Barcelona on the same ground nine weeks earlier. They had a new goalkeeper – the talking point at half time – but their fluid front four were the main attraction.

In the fallout from the defeat to Barcelona, many were quick to point out the obvious differences between the sides, and suggest how United could use the transfer window to become more like Barcelona. There are elements of truth in that analysis – United must retain the ball better, for example, but if they attempt to copy Barcelona, they’ll never catch them up. Barcelona can draw upon the world’s best three players and a side that has been nurtured for years through their academy. If they are to be stopped, it is more likely that it will be a side outwitting them with a strategy of their own, rather than an imitation of their system. You probably can’t out-Barca Barca.

United have their own identity, and would be better off looking back to their previous European Cup victory in 2008, and the side of a year later, which competed well with Barcelona for the majority of the final (by the end it was a clear Barcelona victory, but nothing like the thrashing they dealt out this year). The main main feature of that side was flexibility and fluidity. Ferguson used Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez almost interchangeably.

That changed with the departure of Ronaldo and Tevez, and whilst their replacements – Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen, Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov (even if there was a crossover between Berbatov and Ronaldo/Tevez) – are all excellent players, they lack the versatility of their predecessors, and therefore United have been more boxy and slightly more predictable in the last couple of years. When they failed to win the league in 2009/10, ZM believed it was primarily due to a lack of attacking variation.

The signing of Ashley Young is significant, because he is able to play on either flank – or even behind a main striker, the position where his ex-manager Gerard Houllier believed he was at his best. In addition, Danny Welbeck is also capable of playing on the left, the right or the centre, something fellow loan returnee Tom Cleverley would also feel able to do, even if he is a very different type of player. The excellent – and decisive – performance of Nani was also good for United. Valencia’s astonishing return from injury last season pushed Nani out of the side, despite the fact the Portuguese winger had been excellent for the majority of the campaign - so good that he was voted United’s best player by his teammates.

Therefore, whilst the United 4-4-1-1 in the ‘big games’ towards the end of last season was set in stone in terms of selection – it was, well, set in stone in terms of positioning. Valencia was superb in some games – against Chelsea at home, for example – but when he played poorly, like in the Champions League final, he made United seem compartmentalised rather than cohesive.


The movement of United's front four
It was interesting to see, then, that Ferguson chose to use a 4-4-2ish system with much more flexibility. Young and Nani can both play either side – Young started on the left, Nani on the right – but both came inside quickly and linked up with the front players. The key was the positioning and movement of the front two. Neither stayed high up the pitch against the Manchester City centre-backs – Welbeck came deep, primarily to pick up Nigel de Jong, whilst Rooney played something of a false nine role. Therefore, United were roughly 4-4-2, and yet had no true strikers – instead, Rooney and Welbeck linked seamlessly with Nani and Young, whilst Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott struggled to cut out their passing. When those been drawn up the pitch, any of United’s front four could make runs in behind.

Granted, United only scored after the break, and it was after Cleverley had replaced Carrick. That only added to the clever movement in the attacking positions, though. Five United players were looking to move into a position between the lines, trying to find space in dangerous areas. The superb second goal was the most obvious result – it’s difficult to imagine United scoring a similar goal with the 4-4-1-1 from late last season – the side had a completely different feel.

It’s already been called a “Barcelona goal” across twitter, but that’s a slightly lazy comparison. It wasn’t overly Barcelonaesque. It was probably more similar to the type of goal Arsenal used to score in the mid 2000s – take Patrick Vieira’s against Liverpool, for example. That Arsenal side also used to play, effectively, a 4-4-2 with no set striker, and two wingers coming inside – and in addition to United’s own side of a couple of years later, is a better reference point.

The goal might mark the start of a new era in United’s attacking play. Talk of a new era might seem silly – there’s hardly been a revolution since May in terms of the playing squad. There have been subtle changes within an existing framework, however – and that sums up what United will try and do on the pitch, too. With versatile players and more fluidity, there are simply more attacking possibilities.

Emperoh:

Great game and i couldn't be any happier as a fan of United!!
The lads sure did us proud and with SAF targeting to build a team like Barca, playing the one touches
were welcoming and good to watch!! Anderson and Welbeck impressed me particularly.
Wondering what it will now be when the Little Pea returns!!

Anyone pls, aside Fabio, who's covering up for Evra?
Surprised no one noticed Evra terrible play yesterday? Dude is down-grading gradually.
Couldn't get his acts together and I am surprised he lasted that long on the pitch!

AjanleKoko:

Nice performance from you Scummies. Though it was oftentimes more of City playing utter nonsense than United producing genius.

I wonder how nobody ever noticed that Mr De Jong is probably the most useless holding midfielder in Europe. Can't pass, can't tackle (not without a Bruce Lee action style move), can't break up play.

mbulela:

very unlike you to be so blunt and excessive in condemnation.
I am not De Jong's biggest fan (not any city's fan by the way) but i think he is good.his bruce lee style just masks his genuine ability.
He can break up play nicely,can even pass but the problem is that city are ultra defensive and it makes me pity their fans at times.
De jong obviously had a bad game yesterday but i think he is not all rubbish.
I will have him over Mascherano if not for the bruce lee moves.

AjanleKoko:

@ bolded, seriously? I mean, Masch is not all that, but I think he trumps Mr De Jong at passing. De Jong can't even hold the ball up. Look at that Nani's 3rd goal. Just put Kompany under pressure. Throughout the game I could always sight the guy by his tatoos, watching the United youngsters pass to each other. Break up play, really?

Yesterday was the first time I watched a City game for full 90 minutes though, so I can't comment on the guy's performance in the past. But yesterday, I did not like what I saw. I can't even call it an ultra-defensive performance.

As per the thread I go open am today.

mbulela:

are you sure that was not Clichy instead of De Jong?i might be wrong.
If Masch's passiig is better,then De Jong needs to stop earning a living from football.
the few times i saw Masch pass the ball beyond 5 yrds,it was often into touch.
You are right De Jong was awful yesterday.

AjanleKoko:

It was De Jong. He sat back, let the ball bounce and waited for Kompany to come and clear, with a much faster Nani rushing at him. That is stoopid for someone who is supposed to break up play. He for even try run at the ball to discourage Nani.

But guy, Masch don improve o. He's not a passmaster, yes, but at least he wins balls. De Jong just lunges at people, usually when they've even passed the ball beyond him. The only breaking up of play I see him do is actually from the referee stopping the game to award a foul against him.

coogar:

rafael
johnny evans
giggs

One performance is not enough to state him as a left back!!
Wake up man, dude will faint doing evra's job!! No be beans oo

Just wasn't impressed with Evra display towards the end of last season and his game last night

StarBoard:

@coogar,
Tevez's first season was magical.I still insist you strike his name off the list.He lost is place to Berbatov signing for us,simple.

Obertan better than Giggs?As terrible as Giggsy has been,Obertan can only be as good as Giggs was when he is jer.king off.

As per Cleverley,see what being consistent does for someone. . .Obertan had one good youth mini-tournament in 2009,and he feels he's already arrived. . .heard the fella asked to leave United in January. . .let him carry his yam head to Newcastle jor. . .

coogar:

in 10 months time, the tune will change
i expect obertan to match odemwingie's performance last season

Emperoh:

One performance is not enough to state him as a left back!!
Wake up man, dude will faint doing evra's job!! No be beans oo

Just wasn't impressed with Evra display towards the end of last season and his game last night

coogar:

as a winger, obertan is better than giggs, abeg.
giggs excel when he plays in the midfield.

Emperoh:

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

Londone Riots extend to Manchester. Wenger caught breaking into Old Trafford trophy chest!!!

Emperoh:

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

Londone Riots extend to Manchester. Wenger caught breaking into Old Trafford trophy chest!!!

StarBoard:

Must have been a mistake. . .Wenger can't remember what a trophy looks like. . .

Yea, he came to remind himself of what one looks like.

Mr_TA:


These rioters better not delay the footy season oh!

coogar:

i want it delayed. . . . . . . .we can't start this season without sneijder.

StarBoard:

Abeg, Met Police, come and arrest this rioter!!!

coogar:

met police are too busy dealing with yobs/rioters on the streets of london.

Mr_TA:

Bebe has done his cruciate ligaments. out for 6 months.

coogar:

that's a sad news. . . . . .i was actually expecting him to do well with his new club but he's done his knee now.
when he comes back - he's going to be slower, more careful(less committed), and it goes pear-shaped from there unless he's got an amazing mental strength to deal with it.

poor bebe.

debosky:

I thunk he was the best thing to happen to world footie? How can you even question the mental strength of a guy who went from eating leftover basmati rice in the slums of Lisbon to playing at OT?

Don't lose hope Sharon, Bebe will be back to rule the universe - you heard it here first.