Manchester United underlined their determination to hold off the challenge from title rivals Manchester City as Nani’s last-gasp winner clinched a 3-2 victory in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side trailed 2-0 at half-time after big-spending City took advantage of poor goalkeeping from new signing David De Gea to score through Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko.

But United had been the better side for much of the first period and the champions tore into City after the break, equalising thanks to goals from Chris Smalling and Nani before the  Portuguese  winger  snatched the stoppage time winner.

It was the perfect way for United, who have won this curtain-raiser to the English season four times in the last five years, to conclude their pre-season programme ahead of the start of the Premier League campaign next weekend.

“I couldn’t believe we were 2-0 down at half-time after it looked like we were controlling the game but credit to the players, they kept their heads,” Ferguson said.
“They have courage to keep the ball and are not intimidated by rough tackling.”

City boss Roberto Mancini added: “I’m disappointed because we had a 2-0 lead but I think they played better than us. When you go up 2-0 you need to control the game.”

Ferguson has always played down the significance of the Community Shield, but the bitter memories of last season’s FA Cup semi-final defeat against City provided United with more motivation than usual.