The traditional curtain-raiser to the English season is rarely a spectacle but, on this occasion, was feverishly contested and tensions between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners simmered throughout.
Chelsea won 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out after the match finished 2-2 in regulation time.
United went ahead through a good goal from Nani in the 10th minute.
It wasn't until the 52nd that a Ricardo Carvalho header cancelled the strike.
In the 71st minute, Chelsea squeezed ahead after a controversial play, where Michael Ballack seemed to have fouled United's Patrice Evra. Chelsea played on and Frank Lampard beat Ben Foster with a torrid right-footer.
Chelsea thought they had won it but Wayne Rooney very coolly finished off a beautiful pass from Ryan Giggs on 91 minutes.
- AP
Real Madrid continue to impress
Real Madrid beat DC United 3-0 yesterday in an exhibition game before 72,368 fans at FedEx Field.
The Spanish powerhouse, which spent some $375 million on new players in the off season, also beat Toronto FC 5-1 on Friday during their preseason tour.
United goalkeeper Josh Wicks kept Real at bay in a scoreless first half, but Gonzalo Higuain scored twice in a two-minute span in the second half as the visitors took control. Arjen Robben added another goal for Real.
Cristiano Ronaldo played only the first half yesterday with temperatures in the mid-90s, and Kaka was replaced in the 67th minute.
- AP