Man City and Man United taught us one lesson in Community Shield thanks to Alejandro Garnacho, Rico Lewis and co

Reading too much into the Community Shield is always a risky business, almost as big a gamble as Erik ten Hag putting on a slight attacker in Facundo Pellistri as a defender. The lesson that can definitely be drawn from this well-contested annual season’s curtain-raiser here at Wembley was the promise of youth. The stadium DJ chose well with ‘Teenage Kicks’ after the final whistle.

The undertones shaping this game were hard to miss. Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, a teenager until last month, and Manchester City’s Rico Lewis, 19, look primed for more seasons of real substance. Oscar Bobb, 21, showed why he will join Lewis in pushing for more first-team starts at City.

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A youthful Manchester City side beat United on penaltiesCredit: GettyGarnacho is a guaranteed starter for United. The Argentinian made 54 appearances for club and country in a season which finished for him at the Copa America on June 30. Along with Kobbie Mainoo, 19, Garnacho offers hope for United’s season.

This ultimately proved a frustrating afternoon for the FA Cup winners, losing 7-6 in the shootout, but Garnacho, Mainoo’s replacement on the hour, certainly rose to the challenge.

United looked a far more menacing proposition with Garnacho on the field. Amad Diallo, 22, did well in the first half, but lacked the final ball and finish that Garnacho brings. Garnacho first squared for Marcus Rashford, who missed badly. When Bruno Fernandes then delivered a sublime pass with the outside of his right foot after 82 minutes, Garnacho cut in from the right, focused only on his own path to goal. He steered the ball with his right into the area, gliding past Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. He worked the ball on to his left foot and, ignoring Manuel Akanji’s despairing challenge, slotted his low shot in.

READ MORE ON COMMUNITY SHIELDGuardiola sent on Nathan Ake to deal with Garnacho. But it had been that move by Ten Hag to insert Pellistri, a winger, at right-back, that ultimately cost United. Ten Hag moved Diogo Dalot from right to left-back, Lisandro Martinez to centre-half, withdrew Harry Maguire and sent on Pellistri at right-back. It cost United. Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui cannot arrive quickly enough from Bayern Munich.

When Bobb crossed from the right with a minute remaining, Pellistri lacked awareness of Bernardo Silva’s run and lacked the strength to fend him off. Silva’s headed equaliser was good but the build-up was arguably even better. The ball was spirited quickly between Lewis and Savinho, only 20 and settling quickly, and then Bobb who accelerated away from Martinez to deliver the perfect ball for Silva.

Garnacho still had time to highlight again his importance, nailing his penalty in the shootout. He sent Ederson the wrong way and whipped his kick across the keeper and in. That made it 3-1 but City recovered and, as well as taking home the Community Shield, they also reminded everyone of the talent being nurtured at the Etihad in the campus and in the stadium.

The next generation emerges, important for Profit & Sustainability Rules and also for supporters who love the home-grown. Phil Foden’s path to the first team is becoming well-worn.

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These campus graduates have to prove to Guardiola they are worth a place ahead of far more experienced players. City boast so much strength in depth but Foden has shown the way to absorb lessons from these elite team-mates and force your way in through sheer ability, work ethic and understanding of Guardiola’s demands and tactics.

Bobb already has 33 appearances for City as well as eight caps and two goals for Norway. Lewis reached a half-century of games for City here. The right-back again vindicated Guardiola’s faith with his defensive covering and constant willingness to step into midfield in classic Pep style.

Guardiola started two 19-year-olds, Nico O’Reilly, the tall midfielder who impressed on pre-season tour, as well as Lewis. City’s manager also started a pair of 21-year-olds, James McAtee as well as Bobb. McAtee, socks below calves in Jack Grealish fashion, tucked in on the left, linking with Jeremy Doku, and frequently providing an overload in the centre, even striking the post after 22 minutes.

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United looked far better with Garnacho on the pitchCredit: Getty

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O’Reilly and Lewis were impressive for CityCredit: GettyMcAtee and O’Reilly were heavily involved supporting Erling Haaland in the City press. McAtee dispossessed Casemiro through strength of challenge. O’Reilly hounded Casemiro to the ground, then forced Mainoo to retreat with the ball.

City’s kids kept catching the eye. O’Reilly charged through the middle early in the second half but his final ball was not precise enough for Haaland. Lewis made a stooping headed clearance as Marcus Rashford lurked. Lewis then dispossessed Garnacho.

In and out of possession, Lewis looks every inch a Pep player. McAtee then showed his range of passing, first a fine ball down the channel for Haaland, then crossfield to Matheus Nunes. Bobb, meanwhile, went on another run. The goals came, so did the shootout, and a first trophy of the season and a reminder that their kids are more than all right.

Roy Keane and David Beckham square up to a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic for aiming headbutt at Manchester United teammate Phil Neville