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Zlat magic

Community Shield: Zlatan Ibrahimovic shows Jamie Vardy why he can be a goal machine for Manchester United this season

Old Trafford signing sprung up with a late winner after Leicester striker had netted equaliser at Wembley

FA Community Shield

JAMIE VARDY thought he had taught Zlatan Ibrahimovic exactly how it was done in England.

That was until the Swede superstar popped up with an 83rd-minute winner for Manchester United.
 Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates his winner against Leicester at Wembley
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates his winner against Leicester at WembleyCredit: Reuters

Vardy picked up where he left off last season in the Community Shield.

His 53rd minute goal was just what we have come to expect from the Foxes workhorse.

You cannot afford to be sloppy around him, as Marouane Fellaini found out with his senselessly under-cooked backpass.

Vardy picked up on it in a flash, rounded David de Gea and equalled the scoreline.

He and his opposite number, Ibra, could not have been further apart at Wembley.

The Swede is a smooth operator, a classy player who takes pride in his work.

Vardy is a tireless, bustling machine.

Zlatan - a signing personally requested by Jose Mourinho - was either playing in a side he is yet to gel with, or was rediscovering his touch after the summer break.
 Jose Mourinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have won the Community Shield
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Jose Mourinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have won the Community ShieldCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Zlatan Ibrahimovic climbs above Wes Morgan to net the goal that won the Community Shield
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic climbs above Wes Morgan to net the goal that won the Community ShieldCredit: PA:Press Association

Some passes were askew, his positioning was far too deep and he never threatened the Leicester defence.

That being said, the seasoned hitman, who has sparkled at Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG, DOES have an aura about him.

At times he would pick the ball up and both sets of players would stop, spellbound.

Given his track record - at least a league title at each club he has played for - this is understandable.

And he proved he simply CANNOT be written off, as he leapt above Wes Morgan to head in Valencia’s inviting cross moments from the end.
 Foxes hitman Jamie Vardy got back to business with a goal at Wembley
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Foxes hitman Jamie Vardy got back to business with a goal at WembleyCredit: Getty Images
 Defences could see a lot more of this celebration this season
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Defences could see a lot more of this celebration this seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press

Really, though, it was Vardy who had De Gea cursing every time he got the ball.

The England forward showed no signs of a Euros hangover, no signs of a full appetite and no signs of slowing down.

In fact, he looked starving for goals after a summer of disappointment.

The Three Lions star ran the channels and stretched the defence all game.

Fellaini and Eric Bailly were both skinned just moments into the game and allowed Vardy to charge at goal - something which would become a regular occurrence.

His bags of energy are exactly what Claudio Ranieri needs for a fixture-packed season.

And if Zlatan can continue to produce late moments of madness, he is exactly what Old Trafford has been lacking for years.


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