It's viewed as an over-hyped friendly by clubs who are not in it (and sometimes the clubs that do complete)
However you view it, it is better to be in it than not, it is a symbol of the success in the previous season and being Man Utd this means competing more often than not since the premier league was introduced, this will be their 14th appearance since 1993. Unsurprisingly to go along with being the most successful team ever in English League history we also hold the record number of Community Shield victories with 18 (4 of which are shared) and on Sunday we will aim to match up with our league titles and hold the shield for a 19th time, with Liverpool again lurking in our shadows.
The Community Shield (formerly Charity Shield prior to 2002) was established in 1908 with guess who playing in the first ever match?...Yup, you guessed it, United played QPR, but it ended in a draw and was replayed where United won 4-0. This is the only time the fixture has ever went to replay but it has faced many re-incarnations over the years. This match was between the first division champions (United) and the southern league champions (QPR)
Currently it is an exhibition between the League Champions and the F.A. Cup winners (or 2nd place in the league if the Champions also win the F.A. Cup) with 1st Division vs Southern League champions, Amateur vs. Professionals games, England World Cup team vs FA XI side. In fact the last time Man City appeared in the in the shield (1972) it wasn't because the won either the League or F.A. Cup but rather they were invited to partake after Derby and Leeds both decline to take part. Where City, who finished 4th in the 1st division, beat Aston Villa who had just won the 3rd division!
The way I look at the game, is perhaps more positive than most, although I consider the result meaningless, I think its a great opportunity for a competitive match, against (more than likely) one of our close title rivals, since 1998 we have played Arsenal 4 times and Chelsea 3 times, with a few non-title contenders also thrown in there in Porstmouth and *coughs*....Liverpool! Its a great chance to test the current ability of our squad against theirs as well as test our performance and fitness in a competitive environment before the league kicks off.
This years will be particularly competitive as we seek revenge on City from our last meeting at Wembley in last seasons F.A. Cup semi-final, which left them to eventually lift the title. And as always with City, they will be treating this as their biggest game ever, against Man Utd for a trophy. If they were to win it, no doubt they will see it as another step to becoming the dominant force in Manchester and act as if they have won a major trophy. Anybody reading this will no doubt be able to see the flaw in their thinking, although there is obvious bragging rights up for grabs City will surely be doing nothing more than kidding themselves if the result carries any type of weight towards a shift in power within the city.
Perhaps the 3-times they won the Community Shield in the past is what the 3-stars on their crest represents, and then just to embarrassed to admit it and so say its just for decoration.
Anyway, I will finish now as I started, the match is meaningless, but it is better to be in it than not.
Good luck to the boys on Sunday but the results start to matter the following following week at the Hawthorns.
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