Community Shield: Zlatan Ibrahimovic late header wins United's 21st Shield

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on his competitive debut seven minutes from time to give Manchester United a 2-1 win over Leicester City to win the Community Shield.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on his competitive debut seven minutes from time to give Manchester United a 2-1 win over Leicester City to win the Community Shield. 

Jose Mourinho's first test in the United hotseat finished with a trophy having taken the lead in the first half through a fine solo effort from Jesse Lingard. 

But the Premier League champions, who hit the crossbar through Shinzi Okazaki, hit back after the break when Jamie Vardy pounced on an error from Marouane Fellaini to equalise. 

United, who also handed a debut to defender Eric Bailly, spurned a chance through Zlatan while Foxes new signing Ahmed Musa was guilty of a bad miss in the closing stages.

But it was Zlatan who had the final say with a header, although replays showed he was just off-side, to give Mourinho his first trophy. 

And it was a good day all round for the FA Cup holders with the news today that Paul Pogba is set to have a medical ahead of his world record move.  

MAN OF THE MATCH

Eric Bailly (Manchester United): After a nervy start, the Ivorian showed his strength and speed with a series of important challenges and clearances. He was booked for one too many barges but looked solid for a 22-year-old playing his first game in English football. 

PLAYER RATINGS

Leicester City: Schmeichel 5, Simpson 5, Huth 6, Morgan 5, Fuchs 6, Mahrez 5, King 5, Drinkwater 5, Albrighton 4, Okazaki 6, Vardy 7. Subs: Gray 6, Mendy 5,Hernandez 5, Musa 4, Schlupp 5. 

Manchester United: De Gea 5, Valencia 5, Bailly 7, Blind 5, Shaw 6, Carrick 5, Fellaini 4, Lingard 7, Rooney 3, Martial , Ibrahimovic 7. Subs: Herrera 4, Mata 4, Mkhitaryan 4., Rojo 5, Schneiderlin 5, Rashford 5, Mkhitaryan 4. 

KEY STATS

Manchester United have won the Community Shield on 21 occasions, a record figure (17 outright wins and four shared titles). 

Indeed, the Red Devils have won the Community Shield in six of their last seven appearances (2007/08 and 2008/09 on penalties, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2016/17).

Jesse Lingard is the first Manchester United player to score in the FA Cup final and subsequent Community Shield since Eric Cantona in 1996.

Indeed, he is the first player to do this since Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey in 2014. 

Leicester scored with their first shot on target which was also Jamie Vardy’s first shot in the match.

Jamie Vardy has scored twice and assisted another goal in his last four games at Wembley Stadium (3 for England, 1 for Leicester). 

Wayne Rooney has scored or assisted in three of his last four Community Shield appearances (One goal, two assists).

No player had more touches (97) or made more passes (79) than Danny Drinkwater. 

The FA Cup winners have now won the Community Shield in each of the last three seasons.

 

 

Source: EuroSport