A STUNNING overhead goal from Paul Ince and another Wembley penalty from Eric Cantona earned English double winners Manchester United a 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers yesterday's Charity Shield.
Injury-weakened Blackburn, appearing in the Wembley pre-season opener as league runners-up, held United to a single goal from a first-half penalty until nine minutes from time.
Midfielder Ince doubled United's winning margin with a spectacular bicycle kick in front of goal after Cantona headed a bad clearance from a corner back into the box.
The French international, who will miss the start of the new season after receiving a three-match ban this week for a sending-off last weekend, put the champions ahead in the 23rd minute.
Defender Colin Hendry was adjudged to have pulled down Ince in the box and the self-assured Cantona casually stroked home another Wembley penalty.
In May, he became the first player to score two penalties in an FA Cup final in the 4-0 destruction of Chelsea.
Controversial new instructions to referees to clamp down on tackling from behind and dissent were evident, with World Cup referee Philip Don booking seven players in a reasonably well-tempered encounter.