Source: Team_Talk
Nani: We never lost our belief
Match-winner Nani insists Manchester United never lost belief as they came from 2-0 down to beat rivals City 3-2 and lift the Community Shield.[LNB] The Portugal winger broke clear from the halfway line in the fourth minute of time added on to follow up his sublime equaliser earlier in the second half.[LNB]City had capitalised on David de Gea's hesitancy to go ahead through Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko but Chris Smalling halved the deficit after the break.[LNB]Nani told Sky Sports 1: "This is United, we all believe until the last minute and the attitude of the lads in the second half was that everyone believed we could score.[LNB]"It is good to play against Man City and win like that. I think our fans today will be so proud of us, it is a beautiful day to enjoy."[LNB]Asked about his winner, when he rounded Joe Hart before sliding the ball into an empty net, Nani said: "I tried to chip it but the keeper stayed on his feet, so at the last second I changed my mind."[LNB]United striker Wayne Rooney admitted the win was sweeter because of the opposition.[LNB]"Of course," he said. "Obviously they are going to try to fight us for that (Premier League) title. They scored two goals from nowhere but we showed character to win the game."[LNB]United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was reluctant to criticise De Gea for the second City goal.[LNB]He said: "Well it was bending a little bit...it's difficult to say."[LNB]The Scot added: "I certainly thought our performance throughout was very good in terms of the football. I couldn't believe we were 2-0 down at half-time after it looked to me like we were controlling the game.[LNB]"But credit to the players, they kept their heads, played football and got the result we deserved."[LNB]City boss Roberto Mancini believes his side must learn important lessons from the defeat.[LNB]Asked if it was a big opportunity wasted, he told Sky Sports News: "Yes because we went two-nil after 45 minutes.[LNB]"But this is football. Second half probably we didn't play very well and United scored two goals in seven minutes.[LNB]"But probably the correct result was 2-2 and go on to penalties but that is it."[LNB]He did not believe United would hold a psychological edge after the win.[LNB]"I think that this is only one game. It is not important for the Barclays Premier League, for the FA Cup," he added.[LNB]"It is an important game because it is the first game and we wanted to win this game but if you play against United you can lose because they play well.[LNB]"When you go up two-nil I think you need maybe to control the ball and the game because a game like this can change very suddenly."[LNB]He believes his side can overhaul United and win the Premier League - but must learn from their mistakes.[LNB]"I repeat if we understand why (we lost) it will be very important."[LNB]Ferguson, meanwhile, has promised Nani he will start United's opening Premier League game at West Brom next Sunday.[LNB]Nani bagged a brilliant brace and had a much better experience than the one he endured at Wembley just over 10 weeks ago, when he was left out of United's starting line-up by Ferguson and then gifted Barcelona their killer third goal in the Champions League final.[LNB]And the 24-year-old's reward will come at The Hawthorns where he will be a central figure as United begin the defence of their title.[LNB]"Nani had a fantastic season last year," said Ferguson. "He contributed 18 assists and scored nine goals.[LNB]"He was unfortunate that Antonio Valencia came in at a time when we needed a bit of freshness and a boost to the squad.[LNB]"But you have seen Nani's form in pre-season and again today. He will start the season."[LNB]Nani was just one of United's stand-out performers.[LNB]Rooney was a figure transformed from 12 months ago, whilst Ashley Young enjoyed a memorable debut and Cleverley provided the attacking thrust Ferguson was hoping for when he was introduced, along with Phil Jones and Jonny Evans, at half-time.[LNB]"We toyed with the idea of starting Cleverley," revealed Ferguson.[LNB]"I thought Michael Carrick's experience would be better suited to the game but we were always going to bring Cleverley on.[LNB]"I didn't know exactly where I could have played him but at 2-0 down, I knew Cleverley could get forward from midfield.[LNB]"We needed that type of player."[LNB]The result leaves Ferguson in optimistic mood ahead of the opening weekend, although the United boss is refusing to take anything for granted.[LNB]"I trust them and have confidence in the ability of the players but you can never be confident in the Premier League," he said.[LNB]"It is such a difficult league. Six teams could be challenging for the title."[LNB]Since Mancini arrived at City, derby matches have tended to be close.[LNB]However, much to Mancini's chagrin, the Blues were unable to consolidate their position of strength after the break.[LNB]"I don't think it has given United a mental edge but it will be important for us to know why we lost this game," he said.[LNB]"A top team doesn't always play well, but when we score two goals and go 2-0 up, we need to have a strong mentality.[LNB]"If we play another strong squad like United, or against someone like Real Madrid in the Champions League, we need to continue to play football.[LNB]"We need to stay high up the pitch, not go too deep like we did in the second half."
