Man Utd 2-2 Sunderland

Man Utd have won English football's curtain-raiser 16 times

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said the Community Shield win over Chelsea was crucial in his side's preparations for the new season.

United won 3-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw and Ferguson said: "You have to use it as a stepping stone for next week, I think both teams did that.

"A lot of the players are tired but it brings them on towards the sharpness and tempo needed to win games.

"Neither side was 100% ready but you get that in a Community Shield match."

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Interview: Man Utd goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar

Interview: Man Utd's Ryan Giggs

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Ferguson was pleased to see his team lift yet more silverware and paid tribute to both goals - United's scored by Ryan Giggs, Chelsea's by Florent Malouda.

He added: "I thought the goals were very good - Malouda took his goal very, very well.

"The build-up to our goal was excellent too, it was a marvellous finish from Ryan. He's slotted it in a gap in the net very well."

Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar was the United hero, saving all three Chelsea penalties to lead his side to the shoot-out victory.

He said: "That was a little bit of revenge after we lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

"I was 5-2 down on penalty shoot-outs in my career so this was a great feeling and I think we deserved to win overall.

"We played the better football, we had more chances than them."