Louis van Gaal will be looking for his first points against Swansea City on Sunday afternoon as the Welsh side took six from Manchester United last season.
Garry Monk’s side were 2-1 winners in this fixture back in February thanks to goals from Ki Sung-yeung and Bafétimbi Gomis. They had already won on the opening game of the season at Old Trafford; van Gaal’s first game in charge.
After an impressive 2-2 draw versus 10-man Chelsea and a 2-0 win over 10-men Newcastle, drawing at Sunderland last weekend would have been a slightly disappointing result for the Swans.
Manchester United are yet to concede a goal so far this season but they have only scored two themselves.
Team News
Swansea City
Garry Monk had good fortune on the injury front last season and has headed into 2015-16 in similar fashion as he has everybody available for selection to face Manchester United.
Manchester United
Phil Jones is still unavailable to the Dutch manager whilst Marcos Rojo may miss out again. The Argentine isn’t fully fit after a delayed start to pre-season due to representing Argentina in Chile over the summer. The centre-back could make an appearance on the substitutes bench though.
Adnan Januzaj’s run of starts in the first team come to an end on Sunday as the young Belgian after picking up an injury in the UEFA Champions League midweek. Marouane Fellaini returns from suspension but United fans will be hoping Ander Herrera starts behind Wayne Rooney after his performance versus Club Bruges.
Predicted Lineups
Aside from Ki Sung-yueng’s injury in the first half of the opening game, Garry Monk has named the same XI each week. The South Korean is available again this weekend which could see Jack Cork dropping back to the bench. Ki scored in both games versus Manchester United last season, whilst Bafétimbi Gomis has scored in each of his three games to start the 2015-16 Premier League season. Jefferson Montero could give Matteo Darmian a test down the wing whilst André Ayew has so far looked like an excellent summer acquisition.
Sergio Romero continues in goal with David de Gea out in the cold. The back four has remained the same all season with Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones absent. Michael Carrick played 90 minutes midweek so perhaps Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger start this one. Adnan Januzaj’s injury means Ander Herrera should play the number 10 role although Marouane Fellaini is an option. Flanked by Memphis Depay and Juan Mata with Wayne Rooney up front as per usual.
Key Matchups
Jonjo Shelvey vs Bastian Schweinsteiger
The central midfield battle in this game will have a big say in the final result. Jonjo Shelvey hurt Chelsea from his deep-lying role with a couple of successful through balls to his striker. The former-Liverpool player has some history versus Manchester United too. The Red Devils with their two holding midfielders should want to limit the time and space he has on the ball to pick out the quick attacking players that Swansea have down both wings and up front. Defensively, Shelvey will also want to prevent Bastian Schweinsteiger from dictating the game in United’s midfield.
Memphis Depay vs Kyle Naughton
The Dutch signing has shown promise in his early games but has so far only delivered in the UEFA Champions League qualifying. Memphis Depay’s pace and his clever runs behind the opposition defences has seen him have several chances on goal this season and we can see the 21-year-old having sights on goal on this one. Just a matter of time before he opens his account in the Premier League and gets himself on course to score double figures this season.
Juan Mata vs Neil Taylor
Manchester United’s Spanish playmaker has been pulling the strings this season. With Matteo Darmian making some good runs forward to provide width down the right, Juan Mata has been able to cut inside and leave opposition full-backs. Played a clever assist for Wayne Rooney midweek and will get the best out of Neil Taylor and Ashley Williams on Sunday no doubt.
Key Stats
6 – Swansea City took maximum points from their two fixtures versus Manchester United last season.
13 – Jonjo Shelvey has created the most chances in the Premier League through three games.
270 – Sergio Romero is yet to concede a single goal in 270 minutes of Premier League football.
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