Jose Mourinho has bigger targets than retaining the League Cup this season. And there are bigger matches coming up, starting with Tottenham on Saturday.
But after a super start to the season, Manchester United's momentum had stalled since the Anfield bore draw and the first defeat at Huddersfield showed disharmony on and off the pitch. Mourinho needed a victory – and he achieved his aim without dramas or discord with a mix-and-match team inspired by Jesse Lingaard. The Old Trafford boss will now be looking for more business as usual against Spurs, Benfica and then Chelsea in the next three games.
There will certainly be tougher tests than an insipid Swansea side who can now concentrate on Premier League survival.
Mourinho kept only four players from the Huddersfield horror show with Victor Lindelof, at fault for the second goal, and Ander Herrera among those sent out for a double shift.
The Basque had infuriated the Portuguese coach with his post-match comments at the John Smith's Stadium over his team's “lack of passion” – and he got an early ear-bashing from Mourinho from the touchline.
But Herrera started to make amends by beginning the move for the opening goal after 21 minutes. His slick pass found Marcus Rashford and his neat flick ripped open the Swans rearguard and Jesse Lingard ran through to finish stylishly. This time it was Paul Clement's turn to show his frustration as his defence.
The Swansea boss Paul Clement had made eight changes from the home Premier League defeat to Leicester with Renato Sanches missing with a thigh injury. But the closest the 2013 winners of this competition came in their lacklustre first half was when Daley Blind's clearing header cannoned off striker Ollie McBurnie, who was making his first start of the season, and just wide of the post.
The disappointing game was settled after 59 minutes with another simple goal. Axel Tuanzebe, making his first appearance of the season, burst forward from the left side of the three-man defence and fed Matteo Darmian. The Italian's cross was neatly headed home from 12 yards by Lingard who was untroubled by an close marking. The England star could have completed his hat-trick five minutes later but pulled his cross-shot wide with Rashford lurking for the tap-in.
With his side two up, Mourinho then chose to throw on Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic – and Tuanzebe shot over after Kristoffer Nordfeldt parried Chris Smalling's header from a coner.
Not until the late introduction of Tammy Abraham did Swansea start to offer a threat and he forced Sergio Romero into his first save after 74 minutes when he tipped over his shot. And the Argentine keeper made another fine stop from another sub Leroy Fer in injury time.
GOOAAAAAL! UNITED
52mins
Free kick on the left is floated in by Rashford.
It isn’t a great one straight down the keeper’s neck.
Well it should be dealt with easily, instead the keeper punches it.
Danger dissolves though.
46mins
Trouble for Anthony Martial here.
He has landed awkwardly on his back after fighting with Rangel in the air.
Not good for Mourinho, although he could call for Lukaku.
Actually, ignore that he is fine - he just made the most of it.
PEEEP
The second half has started.
Will there be a comeback?
Extra time? Penalties?
Stat attack
How is this for a stat.
According to WhoScored.com United keeper Romero has completed as many dribbles as the whole of the Swansea team.
It has been pretty easy for United.
PEEEP
And there is the half time whistle.
United lead through Jesse Lingard.
Lot of work for Swansea to do in the second half.
45mins
We’ll have a single minutes of stoppage time.
Swansea have time for a chance though.
McBurnie brilliantly twists in the box but can’t keep it down.
44mins
Swansea are still a threat.
Not a massive one but one none the less.
Clucas finds space on the edge of the area but curls just wide.
42mins
McTominay blazes over.
Good build up between Rashford and Martial but the ball is pulled back to the youngster.
The blood was flowing there for him as he struck it first time.
Well over though.
38mins
Early sub for the Swans.
Routledge is hobbling off Olsson replaces him.
Meanwhile Rangel has seen yellow for a drag back.
37mins
Everything is very calm again.
United happy with easy passes around midfield.
Swansea not really putting much into chasing.
31mins
And almost straight after Swansea want a penalty.
Tuannzebe is close to Routledge as he goes down.
Hints of a pull but nothing doing.
Right call.
30mins
Oooh.
That was heart in his mouth stuff for Blind.
The defender miss headers against McBurnie.
It just about scrapes the outside of the post.
Lingard's goal in pics
Look at the finish on that from Lingard.
Lovely stroke which nestled in the bottom corner.
Cool celebration too.
26mins
Rashford stands over a free kick on the left side of the box.
He drives it in low to the near post.
But it is easily cleared.
United well on top now. The goal has boosted them nicely.
GOOOAAAAAL! UNITED
Lingard!!!!
The England international has a reward for his forward thinking start to the match.
He strolls in behind and rolls into the bottom corner.
Very classy from Lingard.
14mins
United have gone with three at the back.
They struggled to contain Ayew though.
The Swans attacker bullies his way through with a mazy run.
He is eventually stopped in the six-yard box.
10mins
There is a strange rhythm to this one.
United look confident and classy, but have done nothing to put any pressure on Swansea.
Almost as if the Huddersfield defeat has taken the confidence out the club.
The Swans are quick on the counter but stuttery.
8mins
Swansea showing a bit more promise.
They win a corner down the left.
Decent ball in and they should have another corner, not given.
5mins
First chance United.
Lingard takes aim from outside the box.
But Nordfeldt punches over.
The corner comes to nothing.
4mins
United have enjoyed the lion’s share of possession so far.
They have been happy to stroke the ball around and get any nerves out the system.
McTominay looks a majestic beast in midfield.
PEEEP!
Under way in south Wales.
Swansea kick us off.
Warm ups
Manchester United have been going through their paces ahead of kick off.
Plenty of players out to prove themselves tonight.
Big night for the likes of Lindelof, Darmian and Lingard.
Liberty Stadium
Manchester United won 4-0 when they visited south Wales earlier in the season.
Eric Bailly, Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial on the scoresheet that day - on the latter starts tonight.
Swansea last won on home soil against United in August 2015.
Swansea team news
Manchester United team news
Youngsters Tuanzebe and McTominay are handed starts.
Lindelof is trusted despite his horror show off the bench agaisnt Huddersfield
Manchester United arrive
Some massive names have travelled to Swansea tonight.
Romelu Lukaku, Chris Smalling, Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young have all been snapped on their way to the dressing room.
Sounds like a very mixed squad for Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho speaks
Jose Mourinho has spoken to Sky ahead of the game.
Team news when we get it, but it would appear a couple of academy stars will get a chance.
Here’s what he had to say:
“I expect the team to have a good result.
“We have made a lot of team. Some players deserve to start including the two young boys.
Lukaku's here
Romelu Lukaku could play some part for United tonight.
He has arrived at the Liberty Stadium.
The striker hasn’t scored in the last three games so could use tonight as a good morale booster.
The one Man United player who didn't receive Jose Mourinho's hairdryer treatment after Huddersfield
Jose Mourinho was understandably furious following Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium last week.
The Red Devils boss reportedly threw his coat on the changing room floor in a fit of rage before addressing his team privately.
He later hit out of them publicly, telling the press that he would be “really disappointed” if he had witnessed the performance as a traditional fan.
“I don’t even remember a friendly match where our attitude was so poor,” said Mourinho.
“When I lose matches, I like to lose because the opponent was better and had more quality. But when you lose because of attitude, that is really bad.”
Mourinho also spoke about Ander Herrera’s decision to inform the press of the team’s apparent lack of fight.
“I heard Ander Herrera in his flash [television] interview saying the attitude and desire was poor,” he added.
