"This kid is still so careless!"
Wembley Stadium was already packed with 85,000 fans.
In the Manchester United locker room, when Ferguson received Manchester City's starting lineup, his first reaction was that Gao Shen wasn't taking the match seriously.
Why?
Because he sent out a large number of new signings.
Goalkeeper: Neuer.
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Kompany, Jerome Boateng, and Lichtsteiner.
Midfielders: Yaya Toure dropped deeper, with David Silva and Rakitic in central midfield.
Forwards: Gareth Bale, Robin van Persie, and Robben.
Except for Courtois, who had been loaned back to Belgium, the only summer signings not starting were Fernandinho and De Bruyne. Everyone else was in the lineup.
Anyone looking at this starting XI would doubt whether Gao Shen was going all out.
No matter how strong the new players were, fielding so many of them at once was a risk.
In other words, Gao Shen was clearly using this opportunity to help the new players adapt to the Premier League's pace.
"Keep an eye on Van Persie," Ferguson instructed sharply after reviewing the starting sheet. He walked over to the United players, focusing on central defenders Evans and Vidic.
Ferdinand was injured and not in the squad for tonight.
"You're all familiar with Van Persie. He's been our rival for years. But don't let that make you complacent. This player is no pushover. Stay focused and don't give him any chances!"
Few managers in the Premier League knew Van Persie as well as Ferguson.
Wenger might be one of them.
How well? Hard to say.
There was no doubting Van Persie's ability. The real question was how much Gao Shen could get out of him.
Top five in Premier League history?
He'd have to prove it.
Ferguson clenched his jaw.
Manchester City's lineup was intimidating, but that only fueled his excitement.
He was fired up.
…
Manchester United's starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Edwin van der Sar.
Defenders: Fabio, Evans, Vidic, and O'Shea.
Midfielders: Lass Diarra and Carrick as a double pivot, with Park Ji-sung, Sneijder, and Valencia ahead.
Striker: Rooney.
It was a classic 4-2-3-1.
This lineup also showed Ferguson's caution.
Since being thrashed by City last season, Ferguson's United had clearly become more restrained.
At the very least, they had stopped treating City as just a noisy neighbor.
"This match won't be easy. Be mentally prepared for a battle."
Gao Shen gave a short speech before the game.
"Looking at their lineup, United will be relatively cautious. What we need to do is stay patient, control possession, and make them press us. Let them come forward."
From their 4-2-3-1 setup, it was clear United intended to fight for the midfield. That meant they'd press.
In the Community Shield, six substitutions were allowed. Although it was technically a warm-up match, it still had some weight.
It sat in that awkward middle ground.
Gao Shen reminded his players again of key tactical points and areas to watch out for.
As they were about to walk out, he had a word with the newcomers—Boateng, Van Persie, and others—individually.
Ferguson's assumption was right. Gao Shen did intend to use the Community Shield to evaluate his new players.
"Relax, don't worry, just show your ability!"
Gao Shen shouted his encouragement, then sent the players out of the dressing room one by one.
…
"You know, if I had Twitter, I'd have exposed you right there!"
At the tunnel entrance, Gao Shen stood side by side with Ferguson, who "threatened" him with a scowl.
He was referring to Gao Shen's Twitter comment: "Even the old Jazz wouldn't dare say that."
"I wasn't wrong," Gao Shen replied with a grin.
"Bullshit! They played in different eras with different systems. What's the point of comparing?" Ferguson barked. This guy was shameless.
If you want to motivate Van Persie, go ahead. Why drag me into it?
Gao Shen laughed and tried to smooth it over. He said he'd send a box of Chilean red wine as an apology.
"How about this? Let the media write a story saying I admitted I was wrong and sent you a fine wine to apologize. That sound good?" Gao Shen asked sincerely.
Ferguson studied him carefully, amused.
No matter how he looked at it, Gao Shen didn't seem like someone who'd suffer a loss.
This kid would never make a deal that didn't benefit him.
"You're trouble. I can tell just by looking at you. I don't buy it," Ferguson said suspiciously.
He didn't want to walk straight into one of Gao Shen's traps.
He was over 60 now. Could he get back out if he fell in?
Gao Shen shook his head helplessly, playing the victim.
"Being a good guy doesn't pay anymore."
Ferguson laughed.
"Anyway, I'll send the wine. You handle the media and say whatever you want. I won't get involved. Done deal."
With that, Gao Shen waved, said goodbye, and walked off.
Ferguson stood there puzzled, feeling like something wasn't quite right.
…
When the match kicked off, both teams played cautiously, not showing much aggression early on.
United started with the ball, but a minute later, City had control.
City calmly passed the ball around in their own half, between the halfway line and 30 meters out. United tried pressing a few times but couldn't win it back.
City's early pattern was clear—Bale and Robben both dropped deep on the wings.
The shape looked a bit like a 4-1-4-1. Van Persie had a lot of freedom up top, quite different from his past roles.
United focused their attack down the right with Valencia. Rooney and Valencia were especially active on that flank.
City continued to pass patiently, focusing on wide play.
Both sides were careful, avoiding mistakes.
The game's first shot came from United. Rooney fed Valencia, who beat Leighton Baines and fired inside the box, but Neuer saved easily.
Valencia's speed was impressive.
It was clear he was one of United's key threats.
City responded quickly, but Van Persie's long-range effort from the left side of the box didn't trouble Van der Sar.
Then Valencia crossed from the right. Sneijder arrived late and took a shot from the top of the box.
That was when Gao Shen walked to the touchline and shouted at Yaya Toure, reminding him to track back.
The game continued at a controlled pace.
City had more possession, but United's defense was solid and their midfield pressing was sharp, creating a stalemate.
Then, unexpectedly, United made a midfield interception.
Lass Diarra stole the ball from a retreating Van Persie and passed to Carrick.
Van Persie immediately pressed Carrick. David Silva also closed in to double-team. Carrick quickly passed to O'Shea near the sideline.
But just then, Gareth Bale stepped forward and pressed O'Shea hard.
Maybe last season's Old Trafford clash had left a mark on O'Shea, because when Bale rushed in, he panicked. He tried to shield the ball but Bale stabbed it away.
Bale then exploded forward with pace.
David Silva was first to the loose ball and played it into Bale's path behind O'Shea.
Van Persie also sprinted forward. Bale cut inside the box with speed, forcing Van Persie to drift centrally. The flank opened up, and Bale stormed into the left side of the area.
Dribbling with confidence, Bale unleashed a powerful left-footed shot just before reaching the top of the box.
It was sudden and fast, threading between Evans and Vidic.
Van der Sar dived, got both hands to it, and tried to hold it, but the shot was too powerful. The ball bounced free.
Van Persie reacted first, sprinting toward the loose ball near the left corner of the six-yard box. Before Evans or Van der Sar could reach it, he poked it with his left foot.
Evans tried a sliding tackle but couldn't get there. Van der Sar turned and lunged.
Van Persie got to the ball on the end line, but he had lost the shooting angle.
Van der Sar stood near the left post. Vidic was on the goal line. No way to shoot.
In a flash, Van Persie made the right decision. With his left foot, he squared the ball across goal before falling off the pitch.
At that moment, the stadium erupted.
Robben, in sky blue, came flying in from outside the box.
The ball passed between Van der Sar and Vidic. Robben was unmarked at the far post and calmly slotted it in with his left foot.
He nearly collided with the post due to his momentum.
But the ball hit the back of the net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"
"In the 13th minute, Manchester City take the lead!"
"Goal from Robben!"
"That was a defensive mistake by O'Shea. City's attack had great structure. Van Persie's assist was clever, and Robben's run was perfectly timed!"
"1–0!"
"Manchester City strike first!"
On the sideline, Gao Shen jumped up and punched the air when he saw Van Persie assist Robben for the goal. He shouted excitedly, unable to contain his joy.
Even if it was just the Community Shield, this goal was an excellent start.
(To be continued.)