Match Report/Download/WHighlight : Swansea vs Man
through Juan Mata, who hitherto had struggled
to influence the game and later made way for
the cavalry. This was his 50th goal in the
Premier League, his 17th for United and
should have been the catalyst to a
performance of substance. It was, but not by
United.
It was symptomatic of his display that Rooney
should start the Swansea ball rolling,
surrendering possession with a casual pass in
the attacking third. The excellent Williams
swept the ball wide to Gylfi Sigurdsson
advancing into space down the right.
United were left flat-footed with Chris
Smalling, one of the few positive contributors
to United’s season – along with Luke Shaw –
caught out of position by Rooney’s mistake.
Sigurdsson crossed early, finding the head of
the excellent André Ayew, who had no trouble
guiding the ball past Sergio Romero.
Five minutes later Swansea were ahead. This
time Ayew was the architect, picking out
Bafétimbi Gomis with a smart diagonal ball
that, as good as it was, still needed help from
United to make it profitable. First Daley Blind
failed to make a tackle, allowing Gomis a free
swing. Even then there was no pace on the
ball but that did not stop Romero diving over
it.
The grand game of cat and mouse that Van
Gaal has conducted with his first-choice
goalkeeper David De Gea and suitors Real
Madrid finally bore poisonous fruit. Romero
was not even first-choice at Sampdoria, had
barely kicked a ball since January, and here it
showed.
Andre Ayew heads in
Swansea's equaliser
Andre Ayew heads in Swansea's equaliser
There must be some concern, too, at the rate at
which the heat is draining from Memphis
Depay’s boots. The Dutchman has a few nice
touches and plenty of pace, but Van Gaal is
nowhere near unlocking it in this system.
Perhaps the two goals he fired against Bruges
raised expectation beyond his capacity to
deliver. Either that or he is a victim of Van
Gaal’s muddled thinking.
The selection of Bastian Schweinsteiger, who
does not appear fully fit, at Michael Carrick’s
expense has not improved the team. And so
United follow Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool
into the false prophet’s corner while
Manchester City go marching on.
United had no problem dominating possession,
and forced a couple of early saves from Lukasz
Fabianski. Again the focus fell on Rooney, who
was released in the 18th minute with a clear
path to goal only to find the boot of Williams
decisive, as it proved for most of the
afternoon.
Two minutes later a nicely worked move
involving Rooney, Ander Herrera and Memphis
released Mata, who pulled his shot narrowly
wide. None of this was discomfiting Swansea,
who kept their shape, and for the most part
the play in front of them.
The home side’s first flourish came from a
crunching tackle from Jonjo Shelvey on
Schweinsteiger, with the ball falling to Ayew,
who curled a beautiful pass into the path of
Gomis with the outside of his right boot.
Gomis was in the sweet shop now, and like a
child he went for everything and ended up
with nothing, his shot blasted wide.
Bafetimbi Gomis rolls in
the winner
Bafetimbi Gomis rolls in the winner
Sigurdsson was inches wide seconds later, and
then a poor clearance from Romero gave
Shelvey a shooting chance that he wasted.
Gomis did far better with a second attempt,
turning Memphis, wriggling past Blind and
firing narrowly wide.
Rooney wasted another opportunity shortly
before the break, tamely attempting to lob
Fabianski after Herrera split the Swansea
defence with a neat pass through the middle.
When United did break through three minutes
after the break it came via Shaw’s pace down
the left. His cross was missed by Rooney,
allowing the ball to reach the back post, where
Mata arrived to squeeze the ball home.
The introduction of Ki Sung-yueng for Wayne
Routledge in 58th minute proved masterful,
changing Swansea’s shape and the rhythm of
the match. Within three minutes they were
level. Rooney gave the ball away, Williams
picked out Sigurdsson and Ayew did the rest.
Swansea go into the international break
unbeaten, a point behind the equally
enterprising Crystal Palace and four behind the
leaders. Van Gaal must wait to see how the
transfer window plays out before preparing for
the visit of Liverpool. He continues to talk a
good game, but there is as much diversion as
truth in his commentary.
He can deny the validity of his accusers’
questions all he likes but the evidence on the
pitch does not lie. United are five points
behind City after just four games and, on this
display at least, that is a position that flatters
them.
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