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Wigan logo
Community Shield | Community Shield
Aug 11, 2013 at 2pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
van Persie (6', 59')

Match Analysis: Manchester United 2-0 Wigan Athletic

Sports Mole picks the bones out of Manchester United's comfortable victory over Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield.

David Moyes's first game in charge of Manchester United was a no-frills victory over Championship side Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield this afternoon.

Robin van Persie scored either side of half time to give the Red Devils a 2-0 win over last season's surprise FA Cup winners.

The Dutchman opened the scoring in the sixth minute with an accurate header before doubling his and United's total just before the hour mark with a deflected shot from the edge of the area.

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes at a sunny Wembley.

Match statistics:

United:
Shots 7
On target 3
Possession 61%
Corners 5
Fouls 14

Wigan:
Shots 1
On target 0
Possession 39%
Corners 3
Fouls 11

Was the result fair?

The term 'at a canter' certainly applies here. It may have been a nervy afternoon if United hadn't got an early goal but they did and from the moment Van Persie found the far corner with a pinpoint header, the Shield was never going anywhere else. As you can see above, Wigan managed just one shot - David de Gea won't have an easier afternoon all season.

United's performance

The early goal settled the Premier League champions and to be honest, Wigan didn't offer any threat. When Moyes was offered the trophy by captain Nemanja Vidic at the end, the Glaswegian didn't hoist it up with much conviction. He knows that today was pleasant but no more than that. An easy-peasy start to what is sure to be a difficult season. Wilfried Zaha was selected to start and did OK. At times he tried too hard and will need to cut that out if he's going to perform in the top flight.

Wigan's performance

The Championship season began so well for Owen Coyle at Barnsley last week but he'll want to put today to the back of his mind as soon as possible. If Wigan are going to return to the top flight at the first time of asking, they're going to have to cope with European football as well as the 46-game Championship schedule.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Robin van Persie: A clear winner of today's man of the match is Dutchman Van Persie. He had such a strong debut season last term and looks like he'll continue that form this year after today's performance. The second goal wouldn't have gone in if James Perch hadn't deflected it but the first was class. Being able to place the ball into the corner with your head from over 12 yards out is a tough skill and executed perfectly by the number 20.

Biggest gaffe

No stand-out winner here but we're going to have to give it to Perch for sticking out a leg when he could have left Van Persie's shot that was headed straight for Carson.

Referee performance

Mark Clattenburg had few contentious decisions to deal with today and also didn't need to use Hawk-Eye, which was in action for the first time in English football.

What next?

United: First up in the Premier League for United is a tough trip to Swansea in next Saturday's evening kickoff.

Wigan: The Latics will look to forget this match as quick as possible by continuing their winning start to the Championship season when they visit Bournemouth on Saturday.

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Pascal Lemesre
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Manchester United's Robin Van Persie is congratulated by team mates after scoring the opening goal against Wigan during the Community Shield on August 11, 2013
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