The former Paris Saint-Germain striker had had a quiet game, but he outjumped Wes Morgan to head home Antonio Valencia’s cross to earn Jose Mourinho his first piece of silverware as United manager.
Leicester talisman Jamie Vardy had earlier punished an error by Marouane Fellaini to cancel out FA Cup match-winner Jesse Lingard’s first-half solo goal for United, who claimed a record-extending 21st Community Shield.
United, who have confirmed they are close to re-signing former player Paul Pogba from Juventus, open their English Premier League campaign at Bournemouth on Sunday.
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri handed official debuts to close-season signings Ahmed Musa, Luis Hernandez and Nampalys Mendy.
While his side came up short, he will have been encouraged by the brightness of their display, three months on from their 5 000-1 Premier League triumph.
They launch their league title defence at Hull City on Saturday.
Mourinho deployed his new-look strike partnership of Wayne Rooney and Ibrahimovic and both players made their presence felt in Leicester’s penalty area early on.
Rooney headed straight at Kasper Schmeichel from Luke Shaw’s cross and the Leicester goalkeeper was also obliged to field a hooked Fellaini shot after Ibrahimovic had leapt to win a high ball.
Leicester attacked the game with the intensity that characterised last season’s title triumph and procured several chances of their own.
With Ibrahimovic and Rooney both dropping deep, United lacked an attacking focal point, but in the 32nd minute Lingard took matters into his own hands.
After eluding the sliding Andy King, he drove towards goal, slipped the ball beneath Leicester captain Morgan’s sprawling challenge and confidently tucked a shot past Schmeichel.
Within minutes, United’s celebrating fans were singing: “Pogba’s coming home!”
Ranieri introduced Musa and Demarai Gray at half time and the former played a big role in Leicester’s 52ndminute equaliser with an enterprising run from deep.
