Still I have to learn a lot (Community Shield 2011)

Both teams were unable to play with their ideal 11. United lost Hernandez, Valencia and Fletcher to injury(the latter to illness in fact) and Berbatov didn`t figure in Fergie`s first eleven plans against City or Barcelona. City didn`t have Tevez as he was with his family in Argentina and in the midfield instead of Barry, Mancini chose Milner as well as Kolarov at left back position where new signing Clichy plays.

The game started at a slow tempo, both teams testing each other with respective attacks. After 15 mins, it got really physical starting with the foul on Balotelli by Vidic on 11th minute. For United, Anderson and Young were raring to go, the former to fill the void left by Scholes and the latter to impress Fergie.However, the likes of Carrick, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra all of whom were substituted eventually in the second half, were a bit lazy. Rooney was again close to midfield to pass the ball and set the game up. If Sneijder isn’t signed, Rooney again will be unlikely to reach 20+ goals this season
. Wellbeck showed eagerness and hard work but only flashed once or twice in the game.

Milner will definitely be an important player this season for the Champs League contenders. His versatility, work rate and clever play will contribute a lot to Mancini`s tactics. Carrick`s lazy play let City turn to 4-4-2 as Milner slipped to right flank and run some through balls which brought the first goal due to a foul by Evra who was caught in possession. Lescott seemed better after the goal and seems it`s going to be very hard for Toure to claim his place back when his ban ends.

However, City still lack the collective game and still they depend on the flair` of the likes of Tevez, Silva and Toure. Balotelli isn`t a winger and if Silva is going to be free in the fourth area, City should convert to 4-3-1-2 and therefore Toure will know where his position is and what he`s supposed to do. Dzeko didn`t do too much bar the goal which actually sums up the difference between two teams. United`s second goal was coordinated brilliantly where City`s was due an error.

In the second half United eventually changed 4 players who were actually in their first 11 and the likes of Evans, Jones, Rafael and especially Cleverley played an important role in the comeback. Cleverley has showed some potential to replace Scholes. The sub move was an unexpected genius tactic by Fergie. By putting the young guns into the game and resting the so called "untouchables", he both lowered the expectations of City players as well as giving an ultimatum to his experienced players. Mancini still is making the same mistakes and I wonder when he`s going to fix them. He subbed Milner who was really very beneficial instead of Toure and Johnson was also very dispirited. In addition, Aguero could or should have been introduced later in the game as he could have caused trouble to United defence as he`s completely unknown to them.

Even by looking to the number of subs made, we see that United lead by 4-2 which can be inferred as a sign of United wanted the game more. Mancini should give up depending on just some players and he should start to create a team. The match simply showed us again that football is just as it is.