Match Preview: Swansea vs United

United kick off their Premier league campaign with a visit to last years League Cup winners, Swansea. United picked up a point at the Liberty Stadium last year after Patrice Evra’s opener was leveled by a goal from bargain signing of the season Michu.

See our predicted line-up here.

Match Details

KO: 17.30 BST
Venue: Liberty Stadium
Date: 17th August 2013
Coverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 1.

Swansea had an impressive campaign with a 9th placed finish to go along with their cup win. Michael Laudrup looks to be a good manager who has further strengthened his team. Judging by their pre-season form, the astute signings he has made has had a huge benefit on the team already.


Swansea have won all 7 of their pre-season matches, scoring 28 goals along the way, including a 4-0 Europa League victory over Swedish side Malmo. The dangerman is likely to be new striker Wilfried Bony, the Ivory Coast international finished the Eredivisie top goalscorer last season with 31 goals in the league and 46 in all competitions. The £12 million record signing has started his career as a Swan brightly with 2 assists on his debut and 2 goals in the 4-0 win against Malmo. Swansea only have one injury concern with Jonathan de Guzman ruled out with a concussion. With new signings Jonjo Shelvey, Jordi Amat and Jose Canas all fit they have plenty of cover.

Bony_Goal

David Moyes cancelled his news conference for today earlier in the week because of the media work he did at Premier League launch. Therefore, the available squad for tomorrows game is based on information not entirely up to date. The main worry is Michael Carrick who missed England’s mid-week friendly with an eye infection. Carrick was one of United’s best performers last season and in my opinion he is as key to the midfield as Vidic is at the back. Hernandez also missed the international friendly with the hamstring injury that kept him out for the community shield, so i wouldn’t expect him to feature. Wayne Rooney played 60 minutes for England, his shoulder injury miraculously disappearing. When Moyes was asked about him he said he was “…pleased he got minutes under his belt and we will assess his fitness in the days leading up to Saturday.” It looks like we will be in the dark regarding Rooney’s selection until Saturday unless some news breaks today.

Rooney_England

Image via Reuters

All in all i expect a very tough game at the Liberty Stadium. Under normal circumstances i would be happy with a point there but considering we have Chelsea, Liverpool and City in the coming weeks it is vital we get 3 points and put ourselves in a strong position before we meet them. Moyes will want to start his Premier League reign with a win and with his impressive record at the Liberty Stadium with Everton (3-0 win last season and 2-0 victory in 2011-12) i expect a win for United.

Predicted score: Swansea 1-2 United.

About Jay Jones 25 Articles
I am a life long United fan, loving and following everything red. I've recently joined the OTF team writing match previews and reports. This is a hobby i have taken up which i thoroughly enjoy.

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