Defending English Premier League champions Manchester United are the annual football contest’s most successful club in history, with 18 titles overall.

2011 participants Manchester United have featured in all last 4 FA Community Shield contests.The Red Devils had to share their titles in 1965, 1967, 1977 and 1990 with Stevenson Yeats, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool twice respectively - after their games with these opponents ended as draws - with no penalty shootout taking place to decide outright winners. United have featured in all 4 Community Shield matches since 2007, facing Chelsea thrice, and Portsmouth once. 3 of their last appearances had to be decided on penalties; but all in all, the last few years have had positive impacts on the Mancunians’ run in the single-match competition, which was previously referred to as the Charity Shield.

Manchester United come up against FA Cup champions Manchester City on August 7 at the Wembley Stadium, in what could bring them only their second consecutive Community Shield title. Below, we look at their courses in the contest in their last 4 participations.

 

2007 Edition Against Chelsea

Qualification & Brief Recap: United re-entered the contest for the first time since 2003, thanks to a brilliant run in the 2006/2007 Premier League season. They were then challenged by the Blues in London, but although Ashley Cole happened to go home with the Man of the Match award, Chelsea did not quite manage to silence the Devils, as they lost 3-0 on penalties after a one all draw in front of roughly 80,000 spectators.

On the scoring sheet: Giggs (35’) and Malouda (45’) in normal time; Ferdinand, Carrick and Rooney from the spot. Pizarro, Lampard and Wright-Phillips all failed to convert their chances.

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2008 Edition Against Portsmouth

Qualification & Brief Recap: Another successful season saw Manchester United defend their league title, making them once again eligible to enter the FA Community Shield. Fergie’s men faced Portsmouth, whom they lost to in the FA Cup Sixth Round in March that year. The important contest did not seem to be any easier for the British giants, who were unable to score a goal in the 90 minutes. The shootout fell in their favour though, as they beat their contenders 3-1.

On the scoring sheet: Tevez, Giggs and Carrick all netted goals from the spot for the winners, while Diarra, Mvuemba and Johnson missed their opportunities. A single Defoe goal was therefore not enough to let Portsmouth survive on penalties.

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2009 Edition Against Chelsea

Qualification & Brief Recap: An imperfect term from Chelsea’s prospect helped Manchester United maintain their authority in the Barclays Premier League, only to grab another place in the Community Shield. However, as the Blues defeated Everton in the FA Cup final earlier on, soccer fans were given the opportunity to enjoy yet another hot battle.

The rivalry match did not turn out to be easily decided, and a shootout was on another occasion the ultimate solution to separate the titans. This time though, after a 2-2 draw, it was Chelsea who finished the Red Devils through a 4-1 triumph.

On the scoring sheet: Nani (10’), Carvalho (52’), Lampard (70’) and Rooney (92’) in normal time. Lampard, Ballack, Drogba and Kalou all scored in the shootout, whereas misses from Giggs and Evra nullified Carrick’s effort.

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2010 Edition Against Chelsea

Qualification & Brief Recap: With Chelsea claiming both the FA Cup and the Premier League title in the preceding season, United could only take part in the Community Shield as EPL runners-up. The encounter was not as tight as their previous meetings in the contest though, and a 3-1 victory in normal time was just what Coach Sir Alex Ferguson needed to jump back into power in the ensuing term.

On the scoring sheet: Valencia (41’), Hernandez (76’), Kalou (83’) and Berbatov (92’).

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