After surviving a FA Cup scare at Deepdale on Monday night, United return to Premier League action on Saturday as they head to Wales to face Gary Monk’s Swansea City, who claimed victory when the sides met on the opening day of the season, a sobering start to Premier League life for Louis Van Gaal.
Swansea have struggled for goals since the departure of main man Wilfried Bony to city, despite claiming an impressive away win at one of our top 4 rivals Southampton, as their recent run of results demonstrates:
Swansea’s Last 5 (All comps):
West Brom 2-0 SWANSEA
SWANSEA 1-1 Sunderland
Southampton 0-1 SUNDERLAND
Blackburn 3-1 SWANSEA (FA Cup)
SWANSEA 0-5 Chelsea
Their run of form will offer encouragement to Louis Van Gaal’s troops, who have only lost once in nineteen games and are looking for a morale-boosting away victory to further cement our place in the top 4. Swansea have a decent recent record against United though, with them claiming two 1-2 victories at Old Trafford in as many years, with Michael Laudrup triumphing over David Moyes in last year’s FA Cup.
Swansea v United- Last 3:
UNITED 1-2 Swansea: Rooney; Ki, Sigurdsson
UNITED 2-0 Swansea: Valencia, Welbeck
UNITED 1-2 Swansea (FA Cup): Hernandez; Routledge, Bony
Team News:
Gylfi Sigurdsson, scorer of the winner on the opening day, returns from a three match ban for the hosts. Defender Kyle Bartley has been ruled out with a knee injury. Wayne Routledge and Marvin Emnes are likely to return to the squad after suspension and injury respectively.
Robin Van Persie has been declared fit for United, after missing the Preston game on precaution. Phil Jones is also available after his early substitution against Burnley. Luke Shaw is back in contention after suspension and Michael Carrick is the only definite absentee.
Probable Teams:
Swansea: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Cork, Ki, Dyer; Sigurdsson, Montero; Gomis.
United: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw; Blind, Herrera, di Maria, Fellaini; Rooney, Van Persie.
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
