Late Nani strike completes United comeback

Nani

LONDON, (Reuters) – Manchester United fought back from  two goals down and struck deep into stoppage time to beat  Manchester City 3-2 in a dramatic Community Shield at Wembley yesterday.

Nani

City defender Joleon Lescott and striker Edin Dzeko scored late in the first half to stun Premier League champions United, who had dominated the early stages of the traditional season  curtain-raiser against the FA Cup winners.

United responded quickly after halftime, however, defender Chris Smalling steering Ashley Young’s free kick past Joe Hart from close range and Nani finishing off a superb intricate  passing movement with a deft chip from a narrow angle on 58  minutes.

With the match heading for a penalty shootout, United cleared a corner and confusion in the City defence allowed Nani to race clear, round Hart and slot the ball calmly into an empty  net.   “It was a very good performance in terms of our football,”  United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports. “I couldn’t believe we were 2-0 down at halftime but goals change games. The players kept their heads, played their football and got the result they deserved.”

United started brightly, new winger Young combining well  with strikers Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck as big-spending City failed to settle.

Rooney fired a free kick inches wide and tempers flared with a succession of clumsy challenges before Lescott rose above a static defence to grab the opening goal against the run of play on 38 minutes.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT     

The shell-shocked United defence then failed to close Dzeko down and the Bosnian’s fizzing long-range drive flew past  goalkeeper David De Gea who reacted too slowly to attempt a  save. Ferguson made three substitutions at halftime, replacing  experienced defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, and the  changes made an immediate impact.

Young’s free kick was neatly prodded home by Smalling and  United unlocked the City defence again when Rooney and  substitute Tom Cleverley exchanged neat passes to set up Nani’s  sublime finish.

United continued to dominate possession but City’s greater  strength in midfield kept them in the match and they always  posed an aerial threat from set-pieces. Deep into stoppage time Dzeko missed a chance from a corner  and Rooney hoofed the ball down field.

City defender Vincent Kompany hesitated and Nani nipped in,  took advantage of a favourable ricochet and gleefully grabbed  the winner. “We always believe we can win until the last minute,” said  the Portuguese winger who was named man of the match. “It is  good to beat Manchester City like that.”