As I did with the Valerenga/Liverpool pre-season match, I'm going to "live" blog the Community Shield. Even though it happened this morning, I'm just now getting a chance to watch. But don't worry, I've been under the Cone of Silence all day so my reactions will be genuine.
And my first reaction is "WTF!?!?!?!" Kolarov starts over Clichy? I thought the one nailed on spot was going to be Clichy as the starting left-back for Citeh. If there's going to be rotation there... and it seems like there is now... I'm not so sure I want to gamble on either player starting against Swansea next week. Looks like I'm going to spend a similar amount of money on the real sure thing - Kompany.
So neither defence is as expected with Smalling lining up at right back. Maybe that's temporary as Rafael was injured but does make the bench. However, we saw Phil Jones line-up wide right last week and now Smalling. Is Sir Alex just exploring all his options or does he have Smalling on a short-list for the position?
Further forward, Welbeck lines up with Rooney while Berbatov continues to be a £30 million squad player. It will be interesting to see how Welbeck and Rooney dove-tail. Is the "Rooney needs to be a lead striker" argument over and replaced with the recently popular "he's more natural and effective playing behind the striker(s)"?
On to kickoff...
