Manchester United v Swansea City

1. Man Utd XI: De Gea, Young, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Mata, Herrera, Martial, Rooney.
2. Swansea XI: Fabianski, Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor, Britton, Ki Sung-Yueng, Cork, Sigurdsson, Routledge, Ayew.

For all the reaction to today's football, jump over to the main live text page.

FULL-TIME

Just.

Lukasz Fabianski - up for a late corner - arrows a header just wide of the bottom corner as Old Trafford held its breath.

EPA

SUBSTITUTION

Michael Carrick replaces Ander Herrera in the Manchester United midfield.

Four minutes of time to be added on.

Only 90 seconds of normal time to go and Manchester United are running down the clock with a spell of midfield side-ball.

Gylfi Sigurdsson duffs his free-kick straight to Daley Blind.

A let-off for United.

Daley Blind brings down Modou Barrow down by the corner flag. Cynical. Blind sees yellow and Swansea have a great spot for a late free-kick.

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'Rooney gambled'

Chris Sutton

Former Chelsea & Norwich striker on Final Score

"Anthony Martial got to the byeline, Rooney gambled to the near post and it was a wonderful touch into the far corner."  

'It's a bit of genius'

Garth Crooks

Former Spurs striker on Final Score

"The ball that comes in from Anthony Martial is lovely. When it comes to Wayne Rooney the ball is getting away from him, and he has to bring it back towards him. It's a bit of genius. Rooney's taken a lot of criticism, but today, I think he's going to get his reward."  

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SUBSTITUTION

Jefferson Montero and Bafetimbi Gomis are thrown into the fray by Swansea.

Andre Ayew and Wayne Routledge are the men to make way.

SUBSTITUTION

Paddy McNair replaces Ashley Young.

Young has been excellent out wide for United. Louis van Gaal won't want any more surprises from this contest.

Rooney magic puts United back in front

My word. What a finish from Manchester United's captain.

Anthony Martial's low cross is bulleted at him at the near post, a little behind where he would have wanted it.

No worries. Wayne Rooney deftly flicks it around his standing leg and into the far corner past a befuddled Lukasz Fabianski.

Lovely stuff to lift the atmosphere.

Reuters

GOAL - Wayne Rooney

Ashley Young - Manchester United's best player today - is struggling. The winger is limping about out on the right and I don't think he is going to be on the pitch much longer.

Wayne Rooney has the ball touched his way by Juan Mata, but can only drill a low effort into the base of the Swansea wall.

Ashley Williams has clambered over the top of Anthony Martial to win that header. I think he actually replaced his studs with crampons for that challenge.

Free-kick United, 25 yards out...

Sigurdsson levels for Swans

Suddenly it is all doubt and doom-mongering at Manchester United.

The home side had looked comfortable in the lead, but Swansea catch them with a classy counter as Modou Barrow's lofted cross is glanced over David de Dea and into the far corner by Gylfi Sigurdsson.

After a moment of shock, the home fans urge their side to come back fighting.

Let's see.

Reuters

GOAL - Gylfi Sigurdsson

HITS THE WOODWORK

David de Gea is flailing in vain, Andre Ayew's header has him beaten all ends up.

Fortunately for the hosts, the post comes to United's rescue - the ball bouncing off the woodwork.

Angel Rangel is booked for simulation as he gathers the rebound and immediately goes to ground under Matteo Darmian's challenge. 

EPA

SUBSTITUTION

Alan Curtis starts to press pedal to metal.

The Swansea caretaker hooks Leon Britton and shoves Modou Barrow on in his place to give his side a bit more oomph up front.

This is the 2011 edition Ashley Young that we are getting.

The Manchester United makes a mug of Neil Taylor as he feints to cross and then cuts inside the airbourne left-back.

His shot from a tight angle is well saved by the Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski though.

Gylfi Sigurdsson's cross briefly looks like it might cause David de Gea problems via a deflection off Matteo Darmian, but the Spaniard covers back to snatch the ball out of the sky.

At the other end, Wayne Rooney fails to get hold of a shot as he swivels 15 yards out.

It is opening up.

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Width + crosses + midfielders into the box = goals.

Some simple Fergie maths adds up to a lead for United. Excellent work from the impressive Ashley Young on the right.

BBC

Manchester United 1-0 Swansea

Manchester United had had just three shots on target (one by Wayne Rooney and two from Juan Mata) before Martial headed them ahead from close range.   

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Manchester United shots on target

This is a Swansea side that can soak up pressure, but is not so good at applying it.

Will Alan Curtis' side come out and start trading blows with United?

Still plenty of time. Caution might be the better part of valour.

'Man Utd players look relieved'

Garth Crooks

Former Spurs striker on Final Score

“The most telling feature about that goal was the relief on the faces of the Manchester United players. They should go and play. If you can’t play expansive football at Old Trafford, where can you?”  

'Great header from Martial'

Chris Sutton

Former Chelsea & Norwich striker on Final Score

"You have your left winger, who should be playing centre-forward, but it is a great header.

"It does show why Martial should be playing in the middle though."

Martial breaks deadlock

It is sometimes difficult to remember what they look like at Old Trafford, but that is definitely a lesser-spotted Manchester United goal.

Ashley Young's cross is headed down into the turf by Anthony Martial and the ball rears up past Lukasz Fabianski and into the roof of the net.

Palpable relief among the home fans.

Reuters

GOAL - Anthony Martial

Wayne Rooney with an immediate chance as he sniffs space, 15 yards out.

Ashley Williams slides in to block his shot behind for a corner.

Superb committed defending.

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KICK-OFF

We are back up and running.

SUBSTITUTION

Yep, Matteo Darmian is on in place of the injured Phil Jones.

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Manchester United substitute Matteo Darmian is out on the pitch at half-time going through a fairly vigorous warm-up routine.

Might we be seeing him soon?

United return to encouraging applause and Sir Bobby takes his seat.

"Glory, Glory, Man United" blasts out the tannoy...

Swans on the rise

The worrying thing for Manchester United is that Swansea grew into the game more and more as the half went on.

Compare the first 15 minutes of the half...

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...with the last fifteen minutes:

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A zero sum game

Stat of the day comes from the Daily Mirror's David McDonnell.

Manchester United have scored two goals in their last five and a half league games.

Only bottom side Aston Villa have scored fewer than Swansea's 16 goals this season.

Five of the last eight games at Old Trafford in all competitions have ended goalless.

I wouldn't bet on this one getting much better.

'Man Utd revert to type'

Mark Lawrenson

Ex-Liverpool defender at Old Trafford for Radio 5 live

"It's Man Utd reverting to type. Swansea have come here to do a job. Rooney;'s had two headers from Young crosses, but that's been about the sum of it. De Gea has made one save at the other end. You could sum this first half up in three words: Dull, dull and dull."  

Manchester United depart to applause or jeers.

Instead the half-time whistle is met with a total absence of noise. The home fans have been given very little to get excited about.  

Where's the football?

Mark Lawrenson

Ex-Liverpool defender at Old Trafford for Radio 5 live

"We say there's too much football at Christmas and New Year. I disagree, because we haven't seen any football here today."  

HALF-TIME

That combination looks the likeliest to unpick the Swansea defence.

Ashley Young's cross finds Wayne Rooney, but the United captain's glancing header is straight into Lukasz Fabianski's palms.

INJURY TIME

The natives are getting restless.

Their side are coasting towards the break with another underwhelming 45 minutes behind them.

It will be interesting to see if the grumbles from the stands turn into full-fledged jeers at the half-time whistle.

One minute added on.

YELLOW CARD

Jonathan Moss's pencil gets its first outing, noting the name of Chris Smalling for his untidy challenge on Andre Ayew.

Juan Mata in a pocket of space in the penalty area from Ashley Young's cut-back...

Nope. The Spaniard never looked confident in his shooting and his hurried effort is a bobbler that Lukasz Fabianski can drop on with time to spare.

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Just three of Wayne Rooney's 22 touches so far have been inside the penalty area.

BBC

It's oh so quiet...

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter at Old Trafford

“I can’t recall Old Trafford being as quiet as this. There’s nothing for the fans to get excited about.”  

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Better from Manchester United as the go back to the old school with some width and crosses.

Ashley Young's hanging delivery is met by Wayne Rooney at the far post, but the skipper's downward header has the sting taken out of it as it thuds into a defender's thigh.

That would have asked Lukasz Fabianski some serious questions otherwise.

Anthony Martial tripped on the edge of the box and United come forward at pace for once.

Smart thinking from Ander Herrera, who grabs the ball and takes it quick with Swansea's defence still at sixes and sevens.

But Juan Mata cannot generate much power in his left-foot effort as he gets a good sight of goal from his fellow Spaniard's pass.

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'Swansea are playing the better football'

Mark Lawrenson

Ex-Liverpool defender at Old Trafford for Radio 5 live

"In the last 10 minutes, Swansea have played the better football. It’s better football then United have played at any stage so far."  

PENALTY APPEAL

Morgan Schneiderlin does his best to look busy and not at referee Jonathan Moss.

The Manchester United midfield man has just cleared the ball into his own hand inside his own box. Not deliberate, but very dicey.

Luckily for him, the whistle stays silent.

Wayne Routledge swipes a snap-shot goalwards as the ball sits up around hip-height on the edge of the box.

He catches it reasonably cleanly, but it is too central and David de Gea gobbles it up.

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Swansea midfield man Jack Cork is taking a sit-down in midfield.

He has got a problem with his eye. The away physio runs on and washes it out with the saline solution.

Teeming down with rain at Old Trafford. 

Some mischievous camerawork picks out a home fan with his head in the programme. Another yawns long and hard.

'Dull, dull, dull'

Mark Lawrenson

Ex-Liverpool defender at Old Trafford for Radio 5 live

"The Swansea goalkeeper’s not made a save, has he? Dull, dull, dull. It’s as though Manchester United are told not to make a mistake, so their players get so far and decide: ‘I’m letting someone else have it.’”  

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After the early momentum, the wind has come out of Manchester United's sails a bit.

The passes going sideways more often, a touch too many in midfield - they look like they are over-thinking it.

Sir Alex Ferguson is catching up on some texts in the posh seats.

Just chance your arm and make a run.

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Ashley Young's cross from the left makes it all the way across to Wayne Rooney on the other side of the box. 

The United captain stands up to his defender, ignores Anthony Martial's pleas for a pull-back and drags his attempt into the side netting.

Lukasz Fabianski had it covered in the Swansea goal.

Wayne Rooney is sent sprawling by the outstretched leg of Federico Fernandez.

Twenty yards out slightly left of centre, Juan Mata and Rooney having a look...

Rooney plants it straight into the wall.

Juan Mata will have first dibs on the next surely.

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This is how the first 15 minutes has gone down at Old Trafford.

More of the ball, more of the territory, but no real goal threat despite all the good work from the hosts.

'Schweinsteiger is too far back'

Mark Lawrenson

Ex-Liverpool defender at Old Trafford for Radio 5 live

"Bastian Schweinsteiger is almost playing in Manchester United’s back four. Smalling can come out and play, and Jones can come out and play. Schweinsteiger should be further forward. It's so much safety first from United."  

Sir Alex Ferguson is looking on from the expensive seats, like a well-dressed ghost of glories past.

Louis van Gaal has four fewer points than David Moyes had at the same stage of his one and only season in charge at Old Trafford.

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Bastian Schweinsteiger has been caught on the shin as he contests a bouncing ball with Jack Cork.

Both players went in brandishing studs and the Germany international came off worse.

After a bit of wincing and writhing he is able to continue however.

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Clever play from Ki Sung-yeung as he draws the foul from Ander Herrera about 35 yards out as he meanders towards the touchline and runs out of options.

Gylfi Siggurdsson to take it.

Over-hit by the Iceland international and that is a waste considering the heavy artillery had rolled up from defence for his delivery.

A chance to counter for Swansea as they come upfield in numbers, but Andre Ayew's cut-back only finds Daley Blind.

The hosts in charge.

Neil Taylor gets a solid block tackle in on Ashley Young as they face up on United's right flank.

Ashley Williams slides in to dispossess Wayne Rooney after Ki Sung-yeung gives the ball away.

The Swansea defence are working hard.

They are going to have to by the looks of it.

Anthony Martial jinks between two defenders, inside the box but cannot keep tight control.

The ball sits up ugly and he shanks his shot off his shin and Lukasz Fabianski gladly gathers.

All positive from United.

Wayne Rooney is playing as a lone front man, but it looks as though Louis van Gaal has loosened the shackles a little and allowed the likes of Anthony Martial and Juan Mata to break from midfield and get up alongside him.

Swansea have hardly put boot to ball yet.

'Van Gaal's side must beat Swansea'

Garth Crooks

Former Spurs striker on Final Score

"If that Manchester United team can’t beat Swansea, there’s something terribly wrong. Van Gaal may not have lost the players, but he’s not winning matches."

Manchester United are immediately on the front foot - showing the same urgency that they had against Chelsea last time out.

Ander Herrera almost gets free in the box, but Federico Fernandez manages to get a block in.

The crowd like what they see.

KICK-OFF

Swansea get us going and Jon Moss is the man in charge.

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Louis van Gaal walks along the touchline to the dug-out and seems to be getting a warm reception.

Certainly he keeps waving and giving thumbs up to the front few rows.

Sir Alex Ferguson is in the stands, Fred the Red is on the pitch and the teams are in the tunnel.

It is very nearly go-time.

'Man Utd aren't out of title race'

Chris Sutton

Former Chelsea & Norwich striker on Final Score

"I think a lot of the Van Gaal stuff has been media driven, but eventually they have to start winning games, and they won’t get a better chance than today. Van Gaal hasn’t lost the players. But the problem is that he’s spent £250m, and people expect more. But they're only nine points behind Arsenal. A couple of wins and they’re back in the top four. They’re not out of it."    

Van Gaal: Keep him or sack him?

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

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"In the recent crisis, it is sometimes forgotten that Louis van Gaal deserves credit for stabilising United after the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson and the ill-fated 10-month reign of David Moyes, guiding the club back into the Champions League - albeit briefly.

"That said Van Gaal, despite the better showing against Chelsea, has been producing a style of football that has not met with the approval of the club's fans - even if plenty appreciated what they offered up against Chelsea.

"If Van Gaal is kept too long and there is no obvious improvement, then it could end up as a major missed opportunity with Jose Mourinho currently on the market with a point to prove after his sacking by Chelsea, and seemingly willing to step in."

Read more from Phil on Louis van Gaal's situation.

Neckwear issues

No sign of those Jose Mourinho scarves that were on sale at Old Trafford before the game against Chelsea this afternoon.

Maybe they didn't prove too popular. Or maybe they sold out.

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Santa is a Swan

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Santa has treated the elves, and possibly Mrs Claus, although who knows with that fella, to a post-Christmas day out at the football.

The annual present delivery rush looks like it has taken its toll on the lot of them.

'Swansea need a boss first - then players'

Chris Sutton

Former Chelsea & Norwich striker

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"Swansea have got problems because, unless things change soon, they don't look any nearer to appointing a new manager. It surprises me that a new manager wasn't ready in place. 

"With Charlie Austin's goals record, we might see someone like Swansea gamble on him.

"But first and foremost Swansea need to appoint a manager - it is only fair to have a new manager in place with the players which he wants."

Match of the Day pundits have their say on what each Premier League club needs to do in the January transfer window.

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Something Swansea this way comes

Why are Swansea Louis van Gaal's ghost team then?

Well, the Swans have faced the Dutchman's Manchester United side three times in the league - and won 2-1 on each occasion, including Van Gaal's very first match in charge of the club.

Garry Monk was masterminding those victories of course. Can Alan Curtis continue the tradition?

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MOTD on the scene

Steve Bower

BBC MOTD commentator

"So a team definitely looking for a new manager faces one that could be, should Swansea beat Manchester United for the fourth consecutive league game.

"Louis van Gaal has remained defiant and will hope the intensity of his team's performance against Chelsea is repeated.

"They do though have to change their dreadful recent scoring record against a side who have kept three clean sheets in a row.

"Alan Curtis has steadied the Swansea ship at an important time, and I saw his first match in charge, which should have resulted in at least a point at Manchester City.

"Van Gaal has called Swansea his 'ghost team';  he needs a new positive spell to begin the new year."

Team news

Manchester United make one change from the starting XI that drew against Chelsea last time out with Phil Jones replacing Matteo Darmian in defence.

Marouane Fellaini and Memphis Depay are on the bench for the hosts.

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Swansea make seven changes to the side that drew 0-0 away to Crystal Palace last time out with Ki Sung-Yueng coming into midfield at the expense of Jonjo Shelvey.

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Welcome to our live page for Manchester United v Swansea City. We’ll have Radio 5 live and text commentary here from 14:30 GMT. You can keep up to date with all the build-up to today’s games here.