Community Shield News:


Veron was involved in the build-up for Scholes' 36th minute effort that put United two up, before laying on for Ruud van Nistelrooy to score another glorious goal to add to his collection on the hour.

Afterwards, Ferguson was full of praise for the Argentine, saying he was "Marvellous", but found reports that Veron was on his way to Stamford Bridge "very strange."

"He wanted the ball all the time as he always does," he said.

"He's a good player, a tremendous player and I don't know what the hell is going on over there because stories are emanating from England and all the press guys are here.

"They see him walking about the hotel and say he's not here. They have all been saying he's actually in England signing a contract, so it's very strange."

United's successful pre-season campaign continues on Sunday when they face Barcelona in Philadelphia. A midweek match in Lisbon follows before the Community Shield against Arsenal, which kicks off the English season, and Ferguson is pleased with he way things are going so far, and last night's display at the Giants Stadium added further encouragement.

"We were pleased with our own performance but in general it was a marvellous game.

"There was an edge to it and one or two tackles were going in. There was a good edge to it and a good tempo to it."

One thing the Gunners, and the rest of the Premiership, won't like to hear is that Ruud van Nistelrooy is again on fire: "Ruud's goal was out of this world," Ferguson told the club's official website, "We have seen him do it in training so many times and we see that he has got the capability to do that."


In the more modest surroundings of St Albans City's Clarence Park, a young Arsenal XI beat the Ryman League club 3-1, with German defender Moritz Volz scoring twice. A more familiar looking Gunners are currently preparing for the first of two games in Glasgow. Wenger's boys play Celtic on Saturday then Champions Rangers on Tuesday before lining up at the Millennium Stadium.


Tickets for The FA Community Shield are available from the two competing clubs.

Arsenal
E-mail: info@arsenalfc.co.uk
Ticket Office: 0207 704 4040
Website: Arsenal.com 

Manchester United
E-mail: enquires@manutd.com  
Ticket & Membership Services Dept: 0870 757 1968 
Website: ManUtd.com

Team Colours
Arsenal - Yellow, Blue, Yellow
Manchester United - Red, White, Black

Match Officials (wearing green) 
Referee: S G Bennett (Kent FA)
Assistant Referees: K A Woolmer (Northamptonshire FA) and G B Turner (Derbyshire FA)
Fourth Official: P Dowd (Staffordshire FA)

Related Items
Community Shield 2003: Match Centre

Club Profiles