With promising starts to the season behind them, Swansea City and Manchester United will try to grab another important three points in what is arguably, the most eye-catching match of the round.
The Swans have started the season more impressively than their results might indicate. Two draws and a victory has everyone realising just how dangerous the Welsh side actually is. Chelsea were held at Stamford Bridge and Newcastle were brushed aside the following weekend. An underwhelming 1-1 draw at Sunderland demonstrated that you can never expect a safe victory, however, it was another match in which Garry Monk’s side created plenty of clear cut chances.
Manchester United had a great build-up this week, outclassing Club Brugge with a comfortable 4-0 victory in Belgium. In all competitions this season the Red Devils have conceded only one goal when Michael Carrick netted in a Champions League play-off so we are still waiting for a team to beat Sergio Romero, and Swansea are very capable of doing so.
Two 1-0 wins against Tottenham and Aston Villa preceded United’s goalless draw against Newcastle. Despite a general angst around United fan groups, Louis Van Gaal’s side showed real strength on Wednesday at Brugge cruising into the Champions League.
Key Battle – Jefferson Montero v Memphis Depay
Two left wingers who have a great impact on their respective teams and will be pivotal in deciding who gains the points on the weekend.
Jefferson Montero showed real class in his two opening matches and even with a slightly worse game at Sunderland, still managed to give Billy Jones a hard time, creating two dangerous chances.
Memphis Depay has had a great start at Manchester, scoring twice at Old Trafford against Club Brugge. His creativity and fearlessness should be a great test for Kyle Naughton, who, arguably does his best work going forward.
Good luck, Kyle.
Team News
Swansea manager, Monk will have the entire squad at his disposal on Saturday. His side played a Capital One Cup second round match against York City midweek, easily overcoming the League 2 side with a solid 3-0 victory. Monk changed the whole starting XI compared to the match at Sunderland last week. Ki Sung-yueng, who featured, is back from hamstring injury with new signings gaining valuable playing time. Monk again put an emphasis on remarkable squad depth, which is much needed during long seasons – so his preferred starting XI should be well rested for this encounter.
We should see only one difference to last weekend with Ki replacing Jack Cork in midfield.
Swansea City Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Shelvey, Ki Sung-yueng; Ayew, Sigurdsson, Montero; Gomis.
Manchester United look to have minimal injury problems also. Phil Jones should be ready for the match after his blood clot problems and might well start in an attempt to nullify Bafetimbi Gomis’ physical prowess. Marcos Rojo is still lacking match fitness and isn’t expected to be ready. Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw showed great abilities playing in both directions, and with a team that is yet to concede in the Premier League, it is unlikely Louis Van Gaal will seek any change.
The Dutch manager spoke midweek about the potential of playing Marouane Fellaini higher up the pitch in what could be the biggest change in United’s starting team. The offensive trident operating behind the sole striker should again be formed of Juan Mata, Adnan Januzaj and Depay, with questions over who will screen the back four. We could expect Ander Herrera on the pitch after a great display in Brugge and after Carrick’s full match, Morgan Schneiderlin is expected to start at Swansea.
Manchester United Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Romero; Darmian, Smalling, Jones, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Herrera/Schweinsteiger; Mata, Januzaj, Depay; Rooney/Fellaini
Head-to-head
Two teams played have played 13 matches with Manchester United winning seven and Swansea, four. The Swans won both matches last season, and have three wins on the last four occasions. The biggest win came for United at Liberty, in a 4-1 victory two years ago.
Last meeting
Swansea had a great match at home in late February when they triumphed 2-1 against the Red Devils. Herrera gave United the lead, but Monk’s side fired back with Ki and Gomis the beneficiaries of a couple of Shelvey assists.
Prediction
United’s defence seems rock-solid and will have a great test against Swansea’s auspicious attacking line-up. After a clinical performance in the Champions League play-off, Van Gaal’s defensive line could be fatigued and may finally concede. If the Swans put a performance in as they did against Chelsea, Manchester United will be on a two-game streak without a win.
Swansea City 1 Manchester United 1
