Robin van Persie scored twice as Manchester United beat Wigan 2-0 to win the Community Shield in David Moyes's first official game as the club's new manager.
Van Persie opened the scoring in the sixth
minute with a brilliant header into the bottom corner before sealing the
victory in the second half with a deflected strike.
United were
far from convincing against the FA Cup holders - now playing in the
Championship - but Moyes will be relieved to have successfully won the
trophy after leading his side out at Wembley for the first time.
Sir
Alex Ferguson either won or shared the Community Shield nine times and
it would have been a welcome relief for Moyes to focus on matters on the
pitch following an unsettling summer of transfer speculation.
The
Scot raised a few eyebrows before kick-off as he said that Wayne Rooney
will feature for England against Scotland on Wednesday but suggested
that the wantaway striker will not play when United start their title
defence against Swansea City.
However, while the spectre of
Rooney has dominated United's pre-season, the new manager knows that he
can rely on Van Persie as the leader of his attack this season, with the
Dutchman selected to lead the attack as winger Wilfried Zaha was handed
his debut.
The first official goal of the Moyes era arrived via Van Persie
after just six minutes when last season's Premier League top scorer
rose high just inside the penalty area to meet Patrice Evra's cross and
plant a fantastic header into the bottom corner.
United, though,
lacked vibrancy in possession and it was clear why Moyes has made
signing a central midfielder his top priority this summer as they failed
to create clear chances in the first half.
Indeed, Wigan would
have been the happier of the two sides at the break as the Championship
side defended stoutly and threatened on occasions on the break, with
Grant Holt poking a volley just wide of the post.
There was
little change in the pattern of the game after the restart until van
Persie scored his second goal of the game in the 59th minute.
The
United star worked the ball on to his left foot after collecting Danny
Welbeck's pass before firing towards goal from the edge of the penalty
area. The ball appeared to be heading straight at Wigan goalkeeper Scott
Carson before it struck the boot of James Perch and flew into the corner of the net.
Moyes's
men were content to keep possession and see the game out after doubling
their advantage in hot conditions under the north London sun before
Nemanja Vidic lifted the trophy.
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