Friday 20 February 2015

Match preview: Swansea v United, Saturday 21st February

United head to south Wales with the aim of preserving third place in the table and settling a score with Swansea.

Garry Monk's side spoiled Louis van Gaal's first competitive match in charge with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford on the opening day.

Robin Van Persie missed Monday's FA Cup win at Preston, but the Dutchman "shall be fit" for Saturday according to his manager and Phil Jones is also available again. 
Michael Carrick is  the only confirmed absentee after he suffered a slight setback in his recovery and there are no fresh injury concerns for the Reds. 

Speaking pre-match on Friday, van Gaal said:
"Carrick is of course injured but shall be training with the squad in the next week, and Robin (Van Persie) and Jones are ready (for tomorrow's game).
"When you see the score of the last 19 or 20 matches, we are the best team in the league.
"I am never 100% happy, we can of course play better than we are now, but the main thing is to win games and that is what we are doing.
"We have shown our team spirit many times this season already and confidence is high in my players because of this."


The Swans are yet to win at the Liberty Stadium in 2015, and, following the sale of star man Wilfried Bony to our pesky cross-town rivals, have been beaten in three of their last five games and are perched in ninth place.
They did, however, pull off a surprise 1-0 win at United's top four rivals Southampton earlier this month.


Despite the loss of Bony, Swansea still carry a threat and one player the Reds will need to be wary of is creative playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson, who returns from injury in time to face United.
They offer pace and invention from wide areas through Nathan Dyer and Jefferson Montero so should not be under-estimated.


On Swansea, van Gaal added:
"They are a very good team, I like the way they play.
"They want to play football in a very nice play style, they want to make their games a passing game like we do, so I like that style of football.
"I hope it shall be a match like that on Saturday as it is always good when two teams play in the same way."


Form guide: Swansea D L L W D L United D W W D W W
Match odds: Swansea 13/5 Draw 5/2 United 10/11 (Bet365)
Referee: N Swarbrick 


The Liberty Stadium, where the Reds will do battle with the Swans in the Premier League on Saturday. 

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