United comeback sinks City in Community Shield

Nani scored twice as Manchester United FC came from two down to beat Manchester City FC 3-2 and win the FA Community Shield.

Despite looking second best, FA Cup winners City were two goals to the good at half-time thanks to Joleon Lescott and Edin Džeko. United emerged from the interval in feisty mood, though, drawing level through Chris Smalling and Nani before the Portugal winger delivered the decisive final blow in added time.

City have once again spent big since the end of last season, but they found themselves on the back foot from the off. It was one of United's summer signings, Ashley Young, who appeared particularly eager to impress early on, shooting wide via a deflection after a zestful early counterattack.

Slick and sharper throughout the opening 35 minutes, the Premier League champions enjoyed a feast of possession but conjured up only scraps in front of goal: a scuffed Smalling shot and free-kicks from Wayne Rooney and Nani which fizzed off target.

With just James Milner's tame effort to show themselves, City went route one eight minutes from the interval, David Silva's flighted set piece and Lescott's header leaving David de Gea stranded. The Spanish Under-21 international was equally marooned on the stroke of half-time, Džeko's skidding, swerving 30-metre strike deceiving Edwin van der Sar's successor and nestling in the bottom corner.

The summer break, however, has clearly done little to quell United's battling instincts. Just seven second-half minutes had elapsed when Smalling ghosted in unnoticed and side-footed Young's free-kick past Joe Hart. Game on.

The Red Devils' previous visit to Wembley ended in defeat by FC Barcelona – "the best team we've ever faced" according to Sir Alex Ferguson – in the UEFA Champions League final. Their second goal against City rivalled anything the Catalan club produced that night in May, though. Rooney and Nani exchanged passes on the edge of the penalty area, the former fed Tom Cleverley with a sublime back-heel and Nani dinked over Hart.

The Portugal winger completed a remarkable turnaround deep into added time, dispossessing Vincent Kompany on the halfway line to find a clear path to goal. He made no mistake, rounding Hart and stroking into the unguarded net in front of the delirious United support.