Collectors Charity Shield shirt
Playing Record in this kit:
P1 W0 D1 L0 F1 A1
United beat Arsenal 5-4 on pens after 1-1 draw
Manchester United began the first half the better of the two teams and led from the eighth minute.[14] Denis Irwin's cross into Arsenal's penalty area found Eric Cantona on the right side; he lobbed the ball in Mark Hughes' direction, who was surrounded by the Arsenal defenders.[14] Hughes instinctively made a connection with the ball with an overhead shot that beat goalkeeper David Seaman at the near post.[14] United fashioned another chance to score moments after; Keane fed the ball to Cantona whose shot was blocked by Seaman.[1][14] Kanchelskis created a further chance for Cantona; the Frenchman's effort once more was denied, this time by an Arsenal defender.[1] "These proved costly misses", opined Patrick Barclay, given United's tempo weakened, and Arsenal's John Jensen and Paul Davis started to impose themselves in midfield.[1] United captain Steve Bruce coped well against Campbell and Wright, but the latter striker equalised for Arsenal in the 40th minute.[1] A loose pass from Ryan Giggs was headed-on by Davis and the ball fell to Wright.[14] He, "some 20 yards out", hit the ball first time, which dipped past the underside of the crossbar.[14]
A tackle by Ince on Lee Dixon left the Arsenal defender with a damaged ankle; he came off at half time and was replaced by Martin Keown.[19] Arsenal's performance improved after Wright's goal; Paul Merson, a quiet figure in the first half, influenced their play in the second.[19] Ferguson responded to Arsenal's newfound impetus by substituting Giggs for Bryan Robson.[17] This tweaked United's formation to 4–3–3; in spite of Ince's well-rounded performance, his partner Keane started to tire as the game went on and United's game therefore suffered.[1][17] Keane was shifted onto the right to accommodate Robson, who brought control to United's play.[1] In the meantime, Nigel Winterburn prevented Cantona from scoring, following good play by Kanchelskis.[1] Arsenal's service to Wright and Campbell was infrequent throughout the second half, but both players tested Schmeichel in goal.[1] McGoldrick came on for his Arsenal debut in the 74th minute, a versatile player, able to "sweep, score from midfield or play wide".[14] Two minutes later, Seaman denied Keane from scoring with a one-handed save.[20] United continued to attack and a move was broken down after Jensen's tackle brought Ince down in the Arsenal's penalty area.[1] Gerald Ashby refused to award a penalty – "the referee's decision otherwise was not supported by television replays".[1]
No further goals meant the game was decided on a penalty shoot-out. The first four penalties were scored – Ince and Bruce for United and Winterburn and Jensen for Arsenal, before Seaman saved Irwin's effort. Wright missed his penalty, prompting jeers from the United supporters.[14] The shoot-out proceeded to sudden death; Robson scored and Seaman "saw his gentle penalty saved by his opposite number" to give United a 5–4 win and thereby the Shield.[14]