Manchester United were defeated on penalties by Manchester City in the Community Shield to kick off the 2024/25 season.
Erik ten Hag may be disappointed with the result, but he should not be discouraged by their performance, as they created some great chances but were unable to convert them.
While the players are still working their way back to fitness, it was clear who should be on top in their Premier League opener against Fulham on Friday night.
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Garnacho — Fernandez — Amad
While Bruno Fernandes would play in his preferred role behind the striker in this attack, he has played exceptionally well as a false nine when called upon and his link-up play was on display in the Community Shield.
Garnacho has shown over the past 12 months that he is not a player who can only play on the left wing, as he has been able to adapt to the right. Although he participated in the Copa America, he only played 66 minutes for Argentina and should be relatively rested ahead of the new season.
His goal against Pep Guardiola’s side demonstrated precisely that, picking up where he left off at the home of football.
GARNACHO DELIVERY ⭐️@agarnacho7 with a delicious ending for @ManUtd ?#CommunityShield image.twitter.com/zhwMbDlypS
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 10, 2024
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was extremely positive about the youngster, who scored United’s goal against City: “I tell you what all good players do. Really good players have an impact on the game and every time he’s on the football pitch he has an impact, he does something. He breaks through, he does a nice finish. When he comes on the pitch now I expect that from him.
“You knew he was going to create something. You knew he was going to have an effect. If you’re a defender, you don’t want to mark him because he’ll run at you, try something, create problems.”
Amad Diallo has been a player fans have been waiting to see more of since his thrilling winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup at Old Trafford.
He started at Wembley and was a constant threat down the right. However, he should have scored had he not made too many passes into the box.
Marcus Rashford had a disappointing game and should have scored twice. It’s a great season for the Englishman, who struggled greatly last year, but United have two more fit players right now.
Another candidate to start could be Jadon Sancho, but his return turned into a nightmare when Ederson saved his penalty in front of the visiting United fans.
In the post-match press conference, Ten Hag was asked to give his opinion on the missed penalty. The Dutchman said: “He is a very good penalty taker and I did not hesitate and do not hesitate to let him take a penalty. In the future, he will continue to take penalties.”
