As the familiar excitement for a new football season builds here in early August 2025, fans across the globe turn their eyes to the traditional curtain-raiser: the FA Community Shield. For Manchester United, this fixture is more than just a pre-season friendly; it's a stage where legends are born and dynasties begin. With an incredible 21 titles to their name, the Red Devils have a richer history in this competition than almost any other club.
Join us as we journey through time, recounting every single one of Manchester United's Community Shield victories, from the sepia-toned era of the early 20th century to the high-definition drama of the modern game.
The Early Years (1908-1957): Laying the Foundation
Long before the Premier League's global spectacle, Manchester United was already etching its name onto English football's most prestigious silverware. The club's first taste of glory in the competition, then known as the Sheriff of London Charity Shield, came on August 29, 1908. After an initial draw, they emphatically beat Queens Park Rangers in a replay. This inaugural win was followed by another on September 25, 1911.
It would be over four decades before they lifted it again, but the victories in the 1950s were significant. Under the guidance of the legendary Sir Matt Busby, the famous "Busby Babes" asserted their dominance. They secured the shield on September 24, 1952, and then won back-to-back titles on October 24, 1956, and October 22, 1957, laying the groundwork for an era of greatness.
Resilience and Shared Glory (1965-1990)
This period was marked by rebuilding, fierce rivalries, and a unique rule in the competition's history. Before the introduction of penalty shootouts, if the match ended in a draw, the shield was shared by both finalists for six months each. Manchester United's resilience saw them claim three shared titles during this time.
August 14, 1965 (Shared): A draw with arch-rivals Liverpool.
August 12, 1967 (Shared): An electrifying draw against Tottenham Hotspur, featuring a goal from goalkeeper Pat Jennings.
August 13, 1977 (Shared): Another shared honour with Liverpool after a stalemate.
The club's first outright win in 26 years came on August 20, 1983, when Ron Atkinson's side defeated league champions Liverpool , thanks to a Bryan Robson brace. The era concluded with one final shared trophy on August 18, 1990, a draw with Liverpool that gave a young manager named Alex Ferguson one of his first tastes of silverware at the club.
The Ferguson Era Dominance (1993-2013): A Silverware Avalanche
This was the golden age. Sir Alex Ferguson transformed Manchester United into a relentless winning machine, and the Community Shield became a regular fixture in the Old Trafford trophy cabinet. The club claimed an astonishing ten shields in 20 years.
1993-1997: The era began with a penalty-shootout victory over Arsenal on August 7, 1993. This was followed by a string of triumphs on August 14, 1994 (vs. Blackburn Rovers), August 11, 1996 (vs. Newcastle United), and August 3, 1997 (vs. Chelsea), cementing the dominance of players like Cantona, Keane, and Giggs.
2003-2008: After a brief hiatus, United were back. A tense win on penalties against Arsenal on August 10, 2003, is fondly remembered for being one of Cristiano Ronaldo's first appearances. They followed this with back-to-back wins, both against Chelsea. The first on August 5, 2007, where Edwin van der Sar was the hero in a penalty shootout, and the second a convincing victory on August 10, 2008.
2010-2013: The Ferguson era finished with a flourish. A win on August 8, 2010 (vs. Chelsea) was followed by one of the most memorable Community Shield matches ever on August 7, 2011. Trailing at halftime to "noisy neighbours" Manchester City, United roared back to win with a dramatic injury-time winner from Nani. The final shield of this iconic era was won on August 11, 2013, a win over Wigan Athletic that gave David Moyes his first and only trophy as manager.
Post-Ferguson Era (2016): A New Chapter
Manchester United's most recent Community Shield victory came on August 7, 2016. In what was José Mourinho's first competitive match in charge, the Red Devils faced Premier League champions Leicester City. In a tightly contested match at Wembley, it was a new superstar signing who made the difference. Zlatan Ibrahimović, on his competitive debut, rose majestically in the 83rd minute to head home the winner, securing a victory and the club's 21st shield.
From the first win in 1908 to the latest in 2016, Manchester United's journey in the FA Community Shield is a story of the club itself—a tale of legendary managers, iconic players, and an unyielding hunger for success. As we look ahead, the Old Trafford faithful eagerly await the day they can add a 22nd victory to this incredible legacy.