Manchester United scored the first goal through Juan Manuel Mata but two goals in the space of a few minutes from Swansea – coming from Andre Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis – gave them a 2-1 victory.
Two of the six remaining undefeated sides in the English Premier League meet at the Liberty Stadium on as Swansea welcome Manchester United. Join The Roar from 1am (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
Last season, Swansea City did the double over Manchester United, including a memorable opening day victory at Old Trafford, and Garry Monk’s side will attempt to make it three on the trot this weekend.
Manchester United have started the season admirably, with two wins and a loss from their opening three fixtures – additionally, they are yet to concede a goal. Their opponents sit at two draws and a victory from three, and have taken down Newcastle and drawn with cellar dwellers Sunderland following their opening 2-2 thriller with Chelsea.
It is worth noting that the only side Manchester United have not taken the three points from this season is the only side Swansea have beaten – Newcastle United.
Much of the talk in recent weeks surrounding Louis van Gaal’s side has revolved around the scoring form, or lack thereof, of Wayne Rooney. However, in a midweek Champions League fixture against Club Brugge, the skipper put that talk to bed with a well taken hat-trick. There is no doubt Rooney will be intent on transferring this scoring form to the domestic competition.
In player news, the Red Devils remain without defenders Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo, who have struggled to regain match fitness of late. While their opponents are completely injury free and will no doubt field a full strength XI.
The players to watch in this one will be United’s forward pairing of Rooney and Memphis Depay as well as midfield maestro Juan Mata. The trio form United’s main avenue to goal, one which Garry Monk will be acutely aware of the need to halt.
For the Swans, Bafetimbi Gomis has been in elite goal scoring touch with a goal in each of the opening three fixtures this campaign. While new boy Andre Ayew has looked a marvellous acquisition having notched in two of his opening three Premier League fixtures following his move from Marseille.
Prediction: Swansea 1-1 Manchester United
Join The Roar from 1am (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
shehos
Guest
I don't agree. Read: http://www.espnfc.us/english-premier-league/23/blog/post/2873040/manchester-united-vs-bournemouth-swansea-vs-man-city-live-2015-16-premier-league-final-day-commentary Sheri
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining me for this hugely exciting fixture. A wonderful victory for Swansea sees them leapfrog into the Premier League's much sought after top four whilst United sit just behind them, tied on points with rivals Liverpool and Arsenal. That wraps up the Premier League for round four. There will be more action in a fortnight following a week off for international break. I hope you've enjoyed my coverage and grab a good night's sleep before a big day tomorrow! Thanks for joining me!
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
FULLTIME AT LIBERTY STADIUM! THE SWANS DO IT OVER UNITED AGAIN! Well, does any side have the wood over Manchester United in the Premier League more than Swansea City? They've come from behind and snatched a famous third consecutive victory over their mighty opponents. They love playing Manchester United! It was a tight affair in the opening 45 minutes as Gomis went closest - striking the outside of Romero's post. In the second 45, United went ahead early through a nice ball from Shaw and a top finish from Mata but from there it was all Swansea. Monk made a super change, swapping formation and unleashing Ayew and Sigurdsson up the pitch. The Swans reaped the benefits almost immediately as the two linked up. The latter delivering from the right onto the head of the former who made absolutely no mistake. No less than five minutes later, Gomis found his fourth in four outings this season, making a fine run which was found by Ayew and slotting it slowly passed the oncoming keeper. United found no way back and despite searching tirelessly for an equaliser they just couldn't find the net again. So to recap, the final score at the Liberty Stadium is SWANSEA CITY 2 defeating MANCHESTER UNITED 1.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90+3' Desperation for United around the box! Oh so many red shirts but they just can't find a way through this resolute Swansea defence! The Swans deserve the victory! One minute more to play! This would be a famous victory. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90+2' Van Gaal's side looking to do what Ferguson's United did on so many occasions. Come back from the brink. Seeming unlikely. Sigurdsson with the ball now and he's making Darmian look a fool down that left hand side! Time is nearly up. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90' The rain is coming down now in Swansea in a lovely symbolic touch. The fourth official's board reads four added minutes in which United can search for the equaliser. However, they look bereft of ideas at the minute. Although, you can never rule out Manchester United until the final whistle blows. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Substitution for Swansea Shelvey is replaced by a supplementary centre back in Bartlett. Can they hold on? 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
88' ROONEY! OH SO CLOSE! The striker looked to be in for a one on one with Fabianski. However, Ashley Williams had other ideas getting in the way of the ball again. Rooney couldn't get the shot away as the skipper stepped across and stole the ball. Wayne gets up and bemoans the referee but it looked a fair challenge. Frustration plastered all over Rooney's face. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
87' The long ball to Fellaini seems the only option for United now. Predictable football. Meanwhile, the Belgian commits a foul as he looks to get on the end of one such delivery. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
As it stands. Swansea would leapfrog United into fourth spot. Whilst their opponents would sit just below tied with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal on 7 points.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
84' Schweinsteiger with an absolute SHOCKER of a pass there. He looked to switch the play as United searched for that crucial equaliser. But his delivery ended up in the hands of the keeper... 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
82' United resorting to long balls now. Blind cracks it in from halfway but it didn't matter because Fellaini was offside. Manchester United struggling now... and running low on time. Can they produce yet another famous finish? 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Subsitution for Swansea Portuguese winger Eder replaces Bafetimbi Gomis. Great showing from the ex-Lyon striker who now boasts 4 in 4 this season. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
80' Gomis holds the ball up brilliantly as the cavalry arrive. Performing the role of a centre forward wonderfully today is the big man. Meanwhile, Jonjo Shelvey has been ruled offside and continued to take the strike. He's been rewarded for his efforts with a yellow card . 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
78' United searching for a way through this Swansea defence but its not easy for them by any stretch of the imagination. Young heavily involved. Fellaini could provide them a new dimension up front. A big presence. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Substitution for Fellaini Marouane Fellaini replaces Ander Herrera. Van Gaal looking to change the game with the introduction of the big Belgian. We could see him play up front as his manager hinted earlier in the week. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
76' Oh dear. Matteo Darmian produces a rare feat in the Premier League. You don't see that very often. A foul throw! 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Shocking effort by Romero for that second goal...
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
74' Ashley Young using his pace and trickery, drives to the byline and finds the head of Depay. The Dutchman rose but couldn't produce enough power on the header. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
73' Schweinsteiger with another loose pass and its intercepted. The German has looked a bit off the pace in midfield today. Can he help spark his teammates and get his side back into this game? 2-1