United take a tricky strip to the Liberty satduim. A staduim were many have fallen in the past and many more will still go there to confirm it.
Swansea v Manchester United
Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Sunday 23rd December 2012 – KO 13:30
Referee: Michael Oliver; Assistants: S Ledger, S Bennett; Fourth Official: L Probert
Manchester United travel to Swansea for tomorrow lunch time for the first of four matches in nine days over the festive period. Last season United beat Swansea in a lack lustre 1-0 victory and were one of the only teams to leave Swansea with three points. I don’t expect tomorrow to be much different. They now have a manager who is more competent and able to cause upsets. He has done some great business in the summer transfer window, and probably will do again in the winter window.United cause some misery on Sunderland at Old Trafford last weekend, and could still cause Swansea some problems. United are dangerous on the attack and with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie paired up front, there is sure to be a few goals. United were six points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League, but with Manchester City’s poor win over Reading today, the lead has been cut to three points, so United need to leave Swansea with no less than three points to keep the pressure on City.
Swansea have had a great start in the Premier League this season with a 5-0 win on the opening day against Queens Park Rangers to a 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates at the start of December. Michael Laudrup has rejuvenated his Swansea side and they will be capable of taking on any team this season, as they had proven last season.
What the Boss says:
“You’ve seen the results they have had and the progress they have made as a football club over the last years. The important thing for me is they try to play and have the courage to play their football, which is good.” – Sir Alex Ferguson
Players to watch:
Tom Cleverley: Tom has been impressive in the last few matches he has played in anc scored a brilliant goal against Sunderland. His form this season is much alike that of last season before he was injured. If he carries on playing the way he is right now, it won’t be long before he completely replaces the likes of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs in the squad permanently. Tom can be dangerous on the ball as we have seen in all three goals he has scored this season. Swansea will need to watch him and not leave him much space.
Michu: The Spanish midfielder is the top scorer for Swansea this season and at only £2m he was a steal. His ability on the ball is really something special and United’s defence will need to keep their eye on him tomorrow. Michu will be dangerous whenever he has the ball as he will either score himself, or set up Swansea’s strikers for a goal if there is a chance for him to do so.
Statistics from both teams last match:
Manchester United Statistics:
Based on Barclays Premier League 2012/13 [statistics taken from the Official Barclays Premier League website]
Played 17 matches, won 14, drawn 0, lost 3 and currently have 42 points
Scored 41 goals (2.53 goals per match) & conceded 24 goals (1.41 goals per match) – 5 were pens
Longest unbeaten streak is 5 match so far
Clean sheet record 18%
Attacking: 242 shots, 189 crosses and 39 offside rulings
Defending: 87 saves were made, 3 own goals, 3 clean sheets, 51 blocks and 127 clearances
Disciplinary: 155 fouls (9.12 fouls per match), 26 cards
Swansea Statistics:
Based on Barclays Premier League 2012/13 [statistics taken from the Official Barclays Premier League website]
Played 17 matches, won 6, drawn 5, lost 6 and currently have 23 points
Scored 26 goals (1.53 goal per match) & conceded 22 goals (1.29 goals per match) – 0 were pens
Longest unbeaten streak is 6 match
Clean sheet record 24%
Attacking: 220 shots, 112 crosses and 42 offside rulings
Defending: 96 saves were made, 0 own goals, 4 clean sheets, 54 blocks and 101 clearances
Disciplinary: 178 fouls (10.47 fouls per match), 34 cards
Top Scorers (in all competitions):
Manchester United: 15 – Robin van Persie, 9 – Javier Hernandez, 8 – Wayne Rooney, 3 – Tom Cleverley, Jonny Evans 2 – Luis Anderson, Rafael da Silva, Patrice Evra, Ryan Giggs, Shinji Kagawa, Luis Nani, Own Goal 1 – Alexander Büttner, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Nick Powell, Paul Scholes, Danny Welbeck
Swansea: 13 – Michu, 4 – Nathan Dyer, Wayne Routledge, 3 – Danny Graham, Jonathan de Guzman, 2 – Pablo Hernandez, Luke Moore, 1 – Chico, Garry Monk, Own Goal, Angel Rangel, Scott Sinclair
Manchester United Form: WWLWWW
Last six competitive matches: Sunderland – W 3-1, Manchester City – W 2-3, CFR Cluj – L 0-1, Reading – W 3-4, West Ham United – W 1-0, Queens Park Rangers – W 3-1
Swansea Form: LLWWDW
Last six competitive matches: Tottenham Hotspur – L 1-0, Norwich City – L 3-4, Arsenal – W 0-2, West Bromwich Albion – W 3-1, Liverpool – D 0-0, Newcastle United – W 1-2
Head to Head at the Liberty Stadium:
Played 1 match at the Liberty Stadium since the Barclays Premier League was first formed:
Manchester United: Won 1, Drawn 0, Lost 0 – Scored 1 goals, conceded 0 goals and kept 1 clean sheet
Sunderland: Won 0, Drawn 0, Lost 1 – Scored 0 goals, conceded 1 goals and kept 0 clean sheets
Chicharito scored the only goal in Swansea last season (Credit: ManUtd.com)
Manchester United Squad:
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
Goalkeepers: 1. David De Gea, 13, Anders Lindegaard, 50. Sam Johnstone
Defenders: 2. Rafael da Silva, 3. Patrice Evra, 4. Phil Jones, 5. Rio Ferdinand, 6. Jonny Evans, 12. Chris Smalling, 15. Nemanja Vidic, 28. Alexander Büttner, 31. Scott Wootton
Midfielders: 7. Antonio Valencia, 8. Anderson, 11. Ryan Giggs, 16. Michael Carrick, 17. Nani, 18. Ashley Young, 22. Paul Scholes, 23. Tom Cleverley, 24. Darren Fletcher, 25. Nick Powell, 26. Shinji Kagawa, 33. Bebe
Strikers: 10. Wayne Rooney, 14. Javier Hernandez, 19. Danny Welbeck, 20. Robin van Persie, 21. Angelo Henriquez, 27. Federico Macheda
Doubts/Injuries: 2. Rafael da Silva (hamstring), 8. Anderson (hamstring), 17. Nani (hamstring), 26. Shinji Kagawa (knee) [injury details taken from PhysioRoom.com]
Suspensions: None [suspensions confirmed by the FA.com]
Swansea City Squad:
Manager: Michael Laudrup
Goalkeepers: 1. Michel Vorm, 13. David Cornell, 25. Gerhard Tremmel
Defenders: 2. Kyle Bartley, 3. Neil Taylor, 4. Chico, 6. Ashley Williams, 16. Garry Monk, 21. Dwight Tiendalli, 22. Angel Rangel, 23. Darnel Situ, 33. Ben Davies, 37. Scott Tancock
Midfielders: 7. Leon Britton, 9. Michu, 11. Pablo Hernandez, 12. Nathan Dyer, 15. Wayne Routledge, 20 Jonathan de Guzman, 24. Ki Sung-Yueng, 26. Kenny Agustien, 27. Mark Gower, 29. Ashley Richards, 30. Josh Sheehan, 31. Lee Lucas, 34. Henry Jones, 38. Gwion Edwards, 39. Kurtis March
Strikers: 10. Danny Graham, 17. Itay Shechter, 18. Leroy Lita, 19. Luke Moore, 36. James Loveridge, 41. Rory Donnelly, 42. Jamie Proctor
Doubts/Injuries: 1. Michel Vorm (groin/pelvis), 3. Neil Taylor (ankle/foot), 11. Pablo Hernandez (hip/thigh), 22. Angel Rangel (calf/shin) [injury details taken from PhysioRoom.com]
Suspensions: None [suspensions confirmed by the FA.com]
Score Prediction:
Swansea 1 – 3 Manchester United
I would personally like to see a clean sheet tomorrow but I don’t think the United defence will be back to full strength just yet, but over the Christmas period I am sure they will be ready to knuckle down and press on with the rest of the season. It’s good to have Vidic back but he needs to be coming off the bench tomorrow in his return to full fitness. I doubt this match will be easy but United should be winning it and leaving their mark on Swansea just to show the rest of the Barclays Premier League that we are back and wanting our trophy back too!
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