‘Will we see more of you this season?’ the TV interviewer asked Oscar Bobb following Manchester City‘s victory in the Community Shield on Saturday.
‘I hope so,’ was the reply.
On this showing, and with Julian Alvarez leaving, you’d think so.
The City youngster had the most touches of any City attacker against Man United.
Bobb also created the most chances and set up Bernardo Silva for the equaliser.
Oscar Bobb pictured (right) dribbling past Kobbie Mainoo during Saturday’s game at Wembley
This is Bobb’s touch map from his very busy and impressive outing in the Community Shield
Bobb (right) pictured posing with the Community Shield alongside (left to right) Nico O’Reilly, Rico Lewis, James McAtee
It was United, three months ago, who came out on top in the FA Cup final. Not here.
And yet the performance by Erik ten Hag’s side, albeit in a glorified friendly, was much closer to the levels of City than the last time they met at Wembley.
None of this really matters, of course. City’s win will not define whether Pep Guardiola makes it five titles in a row.
History shows it rarely does. Only one of the last 13 winners of the Community Shield have gone on to lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the season (that was City, mind).
In fact, only eight teams have won the Community Shield and league double in the 32 years of the Premier League: Man City (2018-19), Man Utd (1993-94, 1996-97, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11), Chelsea (2005-06, 2009-10)
Match stats from last season’s FA Cup final (left) and Saturday’s Community Shield (right) suggest that United actually performed better this time around, despite the result
Only once in the last 13 seasons has the Community Shield winner gone on to win the league
Meanwhile, City’s win is the fifth time in the last eight years that the Community Shield has been decided on penalties.
City’s bid to retain their Premier League title will begin next Sunday away at Chelsea.Â
