It was a challenging day for Manchester United’s English forwards, who were outshone by Alejandro Garnacho and Oscar Bobb.
If United anticipated a fresh beginning for Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford this season, they were met with early setbacks. Following a disappointing pre-season, the team exceeded expectations in the Community Shield against Manchester City. Nevertheless, they ended up on the losing side, as Guardiola’s squad managed to level the score with a late goal, ending 1-1 before clinching a 7-6 victory in the penalty shootout.
Jadon Sancho was singled out for criticism after missing a penalty in the shootout, continuing his penalty woes at Wembley. Marcus Rashford also faced criticism, having missed a key opportunity and another clear chance during regular play.
Despite the defeat, Erik ten Hag’s team displayed encouraging signs. Casemiro looked significantly better, and Alejandro Garnacho continued his strong form from last season, scoring a brilliant goal to put United ahead.
Unfortunately for Ten Hag, the favorable outcome of last season’s FA Cup was not replicated. Bernardo Silva equalized in the 89th minute, and despite Sancho’s missed penalty, Manchester City exploited errors by Sancho and Jonny Evans to secure the win.
**WINNER: Alejandro Garnacho**
The Argentine forward excels in important matches and enjoys playing at Wembley. Having scored in the FA Cup final, he broke the deadlock again with a moment of brilliance. Garnacho had earlier assisted Rashford, who hit the post, but he remained determined, maneuvering through City’s defense to score with a precise finish. He also confidently converted his penalty, though it didn’t secure a victory this time.
**LOSER: Jadon Sancho**
Wembley appears to be an unlucky venue for Sancho. This was his fourth final at the stadium, and he has now lost three of them, with crucial penalties missed twice. While this defeat may not be as painful as the Euro 2020 final with England or this year’s Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund, it was still disheartening. Expected to start, Sancho was only introduced in the 83rd minute. His penalty miss shifted momentum to City, marking a disappointing beginning to his new phase under Ten Hag.
**WINNER: Ederson**
Ederson’s presence in the lineup was a pleasant surprise for City supporters amidst speculation of a summer transfer to Saudi Arabia. His performance in the shootout underscored his worth to the team. Not only did he save Sancho’s penalty, but he also scored a penalty himself, demonstrating his exceptional abilities and validating Guardiola’s decision to retain him.
**LOSER: Marcus Rashford**
Although Ten Hag had praised Rashford’s pre-season form, he fell short in this critical game. Rashford missed a chance after a promising team play in the first half, which wasn’t straightforward. His second miss was particularly notable, after a perfect setup from Bruno Fernandes and Garnacho. Rashford’s lack of confidence was evident as he hit the post instead of scoring. With Rasmus Hojlund out for a month and Joshua Zirkzee still adjusting to the team, the pressure on Rashford to perform is higher. His performance highlighted United’s need for a more effective striker and presented a chance for other promising forwards to join the squad.
