Match and Goal Analysis: Manchester United vs Wigan Athletic 2-0 Community Shield 11/08/13

Manchester United got off to the perfect start with an easy victory against relegated Wigan Athletic. Issues on both sides offensively and defensively were quite evident. While Man United requires some one to dictate play and pass it around the wings and frontman; Wigan's Owen Coyle require a lot of work in terms of defense and attack to challenge for a promotion run.

Whoscored.com records a 61% possession stat to Manchester United who had 7 attempts on target, 5 from open-play and 2 from set-pieces. Although the conversion rate of a mere 28% has to be a worry for David Moyes who only saw Robin Van Persie being a lethal attacker up-front while the rest of the side had a mild-day. 

On the other hand, Wigan Athletic mustered up just the one shot which unsurprisingly came from a set-piece. United's passing was primarily based on short-passes with 569 out of the 643 total passes. While Wigan also played the same game with 349 short passes out of the 420 passes they played. Though both teams went the same way with long balls with United playing 55 and Wigan with 53; which is quite a clear indication that Owen Coyle is carrying on with the style Roberto Martinez implemented on the Latics.

For United the absence of a play-maker was quite clearly evident. Even playing with Carrick, Cleverely, and Giggs in midfield the average pass streak was 6 while for Wigan it was 5. So, even against a weaker Wigan Athelitc they just could not control the over-all tempo of the game, so come 31st August they surely need a play-maker in their ranks to bolster their squad and chances at glory.