Manchester United set unwanted record after Community Shield defeat as rivals Manchester City break curse

When Manchester United took on Manchester City in the FA Community Shield on Saturday (August 10) at the Wembley in London, both sides looked to avoid a bit of unwanted history. Both sides had lost at least three straight Community Shields, with City ending second-best in the last three years.

When Alejandro Garnacho latched on to a fine pass from captain Bruno Fernandes in the 82nd minute, it seemed like Erik ten Hag's side would end that streak. However, City had other ideas, with Bernardo Silva equalising a minute from time.

In the ensuing shootout, Pep Guardiola's side recovered from a 3-1 deficit to triumph 7-6, with Jadon Sancho and Jonny Evans missing for United, while City custodian Ederson scored.

The win meant City avoided joining United as the only teams to lose four straight Community Shields. The Red Devils lost the traditional English season curtain raiser four straight times between 1998 and 2001, losing to Arsenal (twice), Chelsea and Liverpool.

Erik ten Hag's side haven't won the competition since winning their record 21st title in 2016, beating Leicester City 2-1. Meanwhile, City lost the last three Community Shields to Leicester City (2021), Liverpool (2022) and Arsenal (2023).

---

"Tough result to take" - Manchester United boss after losing to Manchester City

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag (right) saw defeat on Saturday.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag bemoaned his team's inability to put the result beyond doubt after dominating Manchester City for large swathes at the Wembley.

Silva's 89th-minute equaliser was City's first shot on target in the entire game, but United were initially in the ascendancy in the ensuing shootout, leading 2-0 and 3-1, before squandering their advantage.

"Tough result to take," Ten Hag told ITV (via BBC). "When the performance is right, when you lose everyone feels this. It hurts in your stomach. You have to feel pain and we have to hurt. We have to take this belief in to the league."

He continued:

"We did very good to produce the second goal in the FA Cup final before half-time and weren't able to do that here.We managed to be on an equal level with Man City and got (Marcus) Rashford high on the pitch and good defending.

The two teams now focus on the Premier League, which begins on August 16 with Manchester United hosting Fulham, while Manchester City travel to Chelsea two days later.