The way the Manchester United players rushed to greet penalty shoot-out hero Tim Howard showed how pleased they were to win the FA Community Shield after all the hard work they had put in.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men edged out Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw and the manager couldn't believe how tough it had been on the players.

"You had to be down there to appreciate it. I was told it was 41 degrees on the pitch - I know I was roasting just watching them.

"Thank goodness we are in Manchester next weekend for the first Premiership game - it will probably snow there!"

Ferguson said although it wasn't typical of an Man Utd-Arsenal match, it had been a competitive exercise.

"It reminded me of a South American game at times, players had to adapt because of the heat," he said.

"But being Arsenal and United, there were a couple of flashpoints."

Francis Jeffers was sent off for Arsenal 17 minutes from time after Mikael Silvestre's opener had been cancelled out by a long-range Thierry Henry free-kick.

New American goalkeeper Tim Howard seemed to get his geometry wrong in conceing the goal but emerged the hero with two fantastic saves from Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Robert Pires in the penalty shoot-out.

"Tim wanted three in the wall and he will learn from that. This isn't America," smiled Ferguson on the opening goal.

"He didn't have any real saves to make before the penalty shoot-out but we know at the club he has tremendous spring.

"Young players have an enthusiasm for life and he has fitted in very well at the club.


"I thought Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was our best player for an hour, and I kept him on because I could tell it was going to penalties and he has the right temperament for that. Eric Djemba-Djemba also did well as sub, he adds something different to the other midfield players we have."

Howard now looks likely to start the Premiership campaign ahead of Fabien Barthez.

United are title favourites but Ferguson doesn't think it will be a cakewalk.

"Every team in the Premiership will have a blip at some stage, no question," he says.

"All sides lose games or drop points when they are not expected to. But there was a radio programme a few years ago about the demise of Manchester United and we ended up winning the league by seven points. And we are still here!"

By Joe Bernstein

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