Manchester United: Reading Between the Lines of Reds' Community Shield Victory

There may have been an unfamiliar look to the side fielded by Manchester United during the second half of their Community Shield victory against their local rivals, but there was nothing unfamiliar about the manner of their victory.

The ability to overcome deficits has become something like a trademark of the Manchester United sides under Ferguson and, while this United squad will face tougher tests over the course of the upcoming season, the resilience and fighting spirit exemplified by the players to recover from two goals down, in a local derby no less, proves that they too have the determination and never-say-die attitude that Ferguson so relishes. If the current crop continues along the same lines, then they won't be far short of what legends such as Giggs, Scholes, Neville, etc. achieved.

Another Ferguson tradition was also revived. His trust in youth.

After the "Fergie's Fledglings" era, players were imported from other clubs rather than promoted from within. While it may have been due to a lack of true talent, many fans were hoping for a repetition of history, and it seems to have happened at last.

By the time Nani ran past Hart to slot into an empty net, the average age of the United side was 22. As Smalling later stated, "We have seen in other games this preseason that the manager is prepared to give them a chance, and we have seen again against City that they are good enough."

It may not be wise to read too much into that average age, but it was heartening to see that even when there are clubs with seemingly no limit on their spending, they can still be outplayed and outclassed by a side with a better manager, better tactics and a better team as a whole, not on an individual basis.

The players on this United side were eager to prove themselves, while the City players seemed to show a lack of interest and chemistry. It wasn't about winning what is a very minor trophy. After all, Ferguson himself described the Shield as merely a "stepping stone" toward the start of the new season. It was about putting on a performance and setting down a marker for the season, and United did that with style.

While a majority of the spine of the United side that won the Premier League for four of the last five years remain, the assorted additions of such promising youngsters such as Cleverly, Welbeck, Smalling, Jones and De Gea has given a revitalized look to this Manchester United side. Ferguson has put his trust and faith in these youngsters, and they seem to be responding to it.

"Expectations never drop at this club and I don't think the manager would ever let that happen," Smalling stated. "We want to win everything, that's the aim and that's what we are all striving for."