UK Edition
Swansea 0 Man Utd 4: Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba combine to puts Swans to the sword
The painful reality for Swansea City is that with ten minutes left on the clock, they were still in this game and then Jose Mourinho’s team went in for the kill in a way that Manchester United sides once did as a matter of course once they detected weakness.
It was, all told, a ransacking led by the big players in three raids: Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba scoring in a four-minute blitz of Swansea’s retreating defence. Possession was turned over, knock-downs were won and even when the game was decided and Swansea had all but offered their surrender, so United came back for more. By the end Anthony Martial, an effective substitute, had swept in the fourth and the afternoon felt very different.
Not since 1907 have United begun a season scoring four goals in their first two games and while they have faced West Ham and Swansea, clubs who seem to have emerged from the summer without a clear idea of the kind of teams that they want to be, it does at least seem that Mourinho’s players know. Pogba was the game’s standout player, surviving a challenge on Martin Olsson that might well have been a yellow card had Jon Moss not given him one earlier for a foul on Tom Carroll.
Pogba looms over the every aspect of the game, the kind of player whose considerable presence must appear in the peripheral vision of just about every opponent when in possession of the ball. He seemed to be there at every critical moment of the game, winning a corner late in the first half, winning the subsequent header that led to Eric Bailly’s first goal, and then in the second half, the Frenchman led the way again.
Pogba’s form is a continuation of that devastating performance he turned in for France against England in Paris at the end of last season, a combination of the physicality and the delicate touch that he showed in scoring United’s third of the afternoon. Between them, Pogba and Lukaku now have five goals in two games and it is Pogba whose personality seems to be key to this team – when he is confident and diligent, then so are United.
Mourinho did not feel that the decision of referee Moss, an official with whom he has history, to award the first yellow card was justified, let alone the second that never came. Paul Clement could not bring himself to claim a missed dismissal either and he has more pressing concerns on his mind.
Swansea have barely had an effort on goal in their first two games, and the closest they came this time was Jordan Ayew’s clever shot with the outside of his right foot in the first half which grazed David De Gea’s crossbar from an unexpected angle. Tammy Abraham, on loan from Chelsea, showed some nice touches on his first team home debut with Fernando Llorente still out, it looks like a tall order to ask the teenager to shoulder all the burden.
Mourinho expressed the hope on Clement’s behalf that he would get the £45 million from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s sale to spend on the team, the kind of remark the Swansea manager would probably rather someone else had made. Clement also lamented the absence of the injured Ki Sung-yueng and yet he could make no guarantees about new arrivals before Swansea play Crystal Palace next Saturday.
Clement was also angry about his team’s concentration wavering at the end of the first half, when they conceded what he considered a rare goal direct from a set-piece. Bailly had already put one clearance on the roof of the main stand before he was the one who reacted the quickest to score when Fabianski made a good save from Pogba’s header.
In defence alongside Bailly, Phil Jones kept his place and was impressive again, heading against the bar from a corner. It might have been different for Marcus Rashford – who faded in the second half before eventually being substituted – if he had finished on 36 minutes. Booed for his dive in the fixture at Old Trafford last season, he had torn through the Swansea defence only to poke a lame shot at Fabianski.
Rashford has an urgency about him that suggests he knows that patience is limited, and he started strongly only to lose his way. The challenge this season will be maintaining the freedom to his game that made him a success in the first place. He came off when Mourinho made his changes with 15 minutes to go, at a point when United had at times been on the back foot. Clement had earlier switched from a three-man defence to a 4-3-3 formation and tried to put some pressure on Daley Blind at left-back, United’s weakest link in the back four. Mourinho responded by bringing on Martial and then Marouane Fellaini into the midfield at the expense of Mata.
“I don’t want to be the kind of manager who is happy to lose 1-0 at home,” Clement said, and once his five-man defence had been dismantled, United’s response was impressive. Henrikh Mkhitaryan claimed two of the assists as the space opened up, redirecting the ball from Martial’s driving run into the path of Lukaku. Then the Armenian did the same for Pogba who lifted the ball over Fabianski, having intercepted Carroll’s ball to begin the move.
Swansea had coped badly with the tactical switch and the fourth transformed the scoreline into something much more painful for the home crowd, Pogba again involved before Martial cut onto his right foot and picked a spot in the corner. Mourinho reminded everyone that United had won the first two games of last season and he did not have to add that they were nothing like title challengers come May. A certain confidence has returned to United that has not always been detectable in this team over the last four years.
Mkhitaryan wins Man of the match
After a quiet first half, the Armenian managed to take advantage of space opening up as Swansea tired in an effort to get themselves back into the game. He had a hand in two of the three second half goals and was United standout player.
Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba were also impressive - while Romelu Lukaku managed to secure his first goal and win against Swansea since 2014. A good day at the office all round
Full time - Swansea City 0 - 4 Manchester United
Another three points, another four-nil, another clean sheet. It's looking very good for Manchester United and Jose Mourinho at this early stage, but Swansea will be disappointed at their late collapse in both halves - they need to add or they could find themselves in trouble this season.
Swansea need to invest
Granted they're still recovering after Gylfi Sigurdsson's departure earlier in the week, but it looks as if this side could get sucked into a relegation battle unless they bring in a couple of fresh faces.
They're supposedly looking at Nacer Chadli and Wilfried Bony, but you feel as if they're lacking energy and creativity in the middle of the pitch and a real leader at the back.
Meanwhile, up the other end of the pitch, Manchester United are looking like title contenders early in the season.
Two games, eight goals, none conceded, six points. Dream start.
4-0 to Manchester United
This is getting really familiar now. Four goals for the second week running, and it's Anthony Martial making an impact again.
Paul Pogba takes the ball off Romelu Lukaku and drives at the Swansea back four. He knocks the ball to Martial out wide who cuts in and slots past Fabianski.
They're turning on the style now.
Goal - Pogba adds the gloss
A second in quick succession - deja vu anyone? United are enjoying the latter stages of a game for the second week in a row.
Good work from Mkhitaryan again as he drives down the wing and puts Paul Pogba through on goal for the Frenchman to place the ball high into the net past Fabianski.
3-0 Manchester United. Game over
Into the last fifteen minutes
Swansea's passing has dipped in quality over the last few minutes and they've been forced into a couple of important defensive challenges, most notably Fernandez thwarting Lukaku after strong work from Pogba in midfield.
United are looking more comfortable again but could do with a second to put this game to bed.
Yellow card for Leroy Fer
Daley Blind unleashes a shot from the edge of the box, however play is brought back for a late challenge by Leroy Fer on his compatriot.
It's a free-kick in a dangerous area, outside the 'D' to the left hand side.
Decent effort from Pogba - Fabianski wasn't getting across - but the ball floats over.
United could do with a second goal
Swansea look like they're going to go for it here. After a couple of half chances and the attack minded substitutions they've just made they're beginning to put the visitors under pressure.
Word is that Anthony Martial will be on shortly for United, but first they'll need to defend a Swansea corner
Swansea starting to look more dangerous
They've been unable to unlock a well drilled Manchester United defence thus far, but in the last couple of minutes they've created a couple of decent openings.
First, Martin Olsson finds Tammy Abraham in space in the United box, however the teenage talent is a little too far out to challenge the united goal even with a free header.
Next, Jordan Ayew gets the ball just outside United's defensive third. Tammy Abraham made a good run as Ayew drove at Eric Bailly, but he wasn't able to pick him out.
Shortlu after, Jordan Ayew provides his best moment of the match, finding space out wide before flashing a ball across the box.
A decent spell for Swansea
Decent spell for Swansea
It looked as if Swansea heads were dropping and the fans were getting frustrated, but the Swans managed their first meaningful attack of the half, working the ball down the right hand side well through Leroy Fer before a mix up between Abraham and Ayew broke their momentum.
There are positive moments for the home side, but they're so infrequent that it's hard to envisage them creating more than one chance against a disciplined United defence screened by Nemanja Matic.
Swansea starting to look a little ragged
Manchester United are starting to force a few errors out of Swansea at the back.
After confusion between Kyle Bartley and Lukasz Fabianski, United win a corner and manage to put the ball in the box. Swansea struggle to clear and a series of poor touches and frantic passes gift possession back to the visitors.
Are the wheels starting to come off for Paul Clement's side here? A lot of holes for the likes of Rashford and Lukaku to exploit are appearing.
Another United corner
A misplaced header from Kyle Bartley gives Juan Mata the chance to put the ball in the box.
They clear the danger initially but after good work from Mata and Valencia down the right hand side, they force another corner. They always seem to have an extra man out wide.
The second corner comes to nothing, but United quickly assume control of the second half.
United start at walking pace
The visitors start the second half by just knocking the ball around at the back. Swansea seem happy to let them do it.
The Swans finally manage to get themselves on the ball, and after creating a solid crossing position they fail to pick out Tammy Abraham at the back post as he was left one-on-one against Phil Jones.
A quiet half for Mata and Mkhitaryan
The United duo have been largely frozen out of this first half and barring a Juan Mata free kick that resulted i Phil Jones hitting the bar, it's hard to recall much involvement from the pair. Does this leave things nicely poised for Anthony Martial to make another late impact?
Paul Clement will be disappointed
Swansea did their job for the vast majority of that half - had they gone in at 0-0 he can't have had many complaints, really.
Conceding a goal right at the end of the half, from a set piece at which a lack of concentration allowed Paul Pogba and Eric Bailly to attack the ball unchecked, will have frustrated Paul Clement. Barring the odd lapse, his side defended well and only had to hold on another minute or so to go in level at the break.
It'll be a big ask if they're to take anything from the game now.
Half-time - Manchester United lead
Despite Swansea digging in and shutting United out for the vast majority of that half, you can't begrudge the visitors a half time lead. They've dominated possession for long periods and forced Swansea to defend the edge of their own box.
The home side started to grow into the game and found the odd chink in United's armour with a more direct style of play from set pieces and striker Tammy Abraham's brave efforts to hold the ball up. But it's a deserved lead.
Goal - United bundle the ball into the net
Swansea's hard work is undone from a United set piece.
Paul Pogba forces Lukasz Fabianski to tip the ball onto the bar after meeting an inviting delivery from a corner with a bullet header. Eric Bailly follows up to bundle the ball over the line for his first United goal.
Into the last five minutes of the half
Swansea's defensive set up is forcing the likes of Mhiktariyan to drop deeper to get involved and United to play diagonal balls from further and further towards their own half. The latest results in a corner but the visitors can't take advantage.
A moment of concern for Swansea as Fabianski fumbles a cross into the feet of Juan Mata, however the Spaniard's effort is a weak one as a wall of Swansea defenders force him to rush his finish.
Another chance for Swansea to load the box
Entertaining half so far. Swansea have another chance to test United's defence with a free kick midway inside United's half.
Roque Mesa picks out Kyle Bartley at the far post but his header across goal loops harmlessly out wide.
They're not taking advantage, yet, but Swansea have found United wanting from a couple of set pieces so far.
Can they find joy through a more direct style of play through set plays and hitting Abraham up front?
Huge opportunity
Alfie Mawson, who's made a strong start to the game, attempts to knock a header back to his keeper but puts it right into the path of arguably United's most dangerous player so far - Marcus Rashford.
The England cap tries to be a little too clever and flicks the ball into Lukasz Fabianski's grateful arms. Looked like he expected the Pole in goal to go to ground so he could dink it over him.
Swansea missing Sigurdsson but finding their feet
There are signs that Swansea are starting to grow into this game. They do really well when they get Jordan Ayew playing off Tammy Abraham who's done well holding the ball up and offloading short passes on occasion. If Gyfli Sigurdsson was the man operating behind Abraham could they be doing more damage?
Swansea win a corner after Ayew and Abraham link up well from which Kyle Bartley puts a tame header wide.
Frantic few minutes
A fast-paced period of play ends with Paul Pogba giving John Moss a decision to make. Tammy Abraham is dispossessed by Phil Jones at the edge of the United box in an attempt to hold the ball up.
United break through Rashford, and after the youngster is crowded out, the ball finds it's way back to Pogba who lunges in after a heavy first touch. Probably not a second yellow, but he can't have another one of those.
Swansea struggling for meaningful possession
Swansea enjoy a brief reprieve from defensive duties. They go direct to Tammy Abraham who brings the ball down well, and enjoy brief possession in the United half before surrendering the ball. They look very much like a side playing without a key midfielder willing to take the ball under pressure in the middle i.e. Sigurdsson.
United are doing well at working the ball in good positions out wide but are lacking an end product. They've been largely reduced to diagonal balls into Lukaku or long shots - apart from the set piece that saw Jones hit the bar.
Phil Jones hits the bar!
Rapid start here. Rashford brought down at the edge of the box.
From the resulting free-kick Juan Mata drifted the ball across the Swansea box where Phil Jones headed against the bar unopposed.,
Hint of offside, but from six yards out Jones should really have buried that.
Both teams have hit the woodwork early.
Jordan Ayew hits the bar!
Fast start - The Swans are knocking the ball around nicely and putting United under pressure in the rare moments they've not been in possession early on.
Jordan Ayew puts United under pressure, wins the ball back, and after running onto a ball cannoned off his face by a United defender, he mishits a cross with the outside of his boot and strikes the bar.
United counter attack but Lukaku can't get the better of Mawson one-on-one and fires wide.
A lot of attacking intent early.
Fifteen minutes until kick off
A quick reminder of the team news.
Swansea hand a debut to new signing Roque Mesa. Manchester United are unchanged, again leaving big summer signing Victor Lindelof on the bench.
Swansea: Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson, Fer, Bartley, Carroll, Roque, Ayew, Abraham.
Subs: van der Hoorn, Narsingh, Nordfeldt, Routledge, Rangel, Fulton, McBurnie.
Man Utd: de Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Jones, Blind, Matic, Pogba, Mata, Mkhitaryan, Rashford, Lukaku.
Subs: Lindelof, Martial, Smalling, Lingard, Romero, Ander Herrera, Fellaini.
Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire)
Jose Mourinho - United are playing "happy football"
The Manchester United manager says that last week's match winners were too difficult to leave out, describing his team as having played "quite well" against West Ham. Understatement of the season so far?
He says that there will be sticky moments in today's game, but says his side's "happy football" - the freedom to play and confidence, should be enough to win the day.
Swansea vs Manchester United - Premier League head-to-head
- Played 12 times in the Premier League era - Manchester United have won seven, Swansea have won three, and there have been two draws.
- United have scored 21 times to Swansea's 12. Interestingly all three joint top-scorers in this fixture, Danny Welback, Wayne Rooney, and Gylfi Sigurdson (who've each scored three) have all moved on.
- The last five games between these two sides have yielded two Swansea wins, two Manchester United wins, and a draw. Who can tip the balance today?
Manchester United's all time record playing away in Wales
Manchester United have played ten competitive fixtures in Wales in their history - their first was a 2-0 defeat to Swansea in January 1982.
This includes a Cup Winners Cup fixture against Wrexham, which they won 2-0 away to seal a 5-0 aggregate victory in European competition.
Since then they've amassed a record of four wins, three draws, and three defeats. Their last visit was a 3-1 win at the Liberty Stadium last season.
Can they add a fifth win on Welsh soil today? Given the form their in, Swansea losing Gylfi Sigurdsson, and the fact Jose Mourinho has never lost to a Welsh club - the signs are positive
Speaking of new signings...
Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku hit the ground running against West Ham last weekend, but can he put his less than stellar recent form against the Swans behind him?
- Lukaku has played Swansea 10 times - once for Chelsea, twice for West Brom, and seven times for Everton
- His record stands at three wins, four draws, and three defeats - one defeat for West Brom and two for Everton.
- He's scored three times in those ten games - twice at West Brom, once at Everton. He hasn't scored at the Liberty Stadium since November 2012.
- He hasn't been on the winning side against Swansea since a 3-2 win for Everton at Goodison Park in March 2014. Also the date of his last goal against them.
Who is Roque Mesa?
Here's a quick look at the Swansea midfielder making his debut today.
- He's a 28-year-old central midfielder signed from Spanish side Las Palmas in the summer for around £11 million.
- He played 35 times for Las Palmas last season, scoring once and assisting three.
- He's not afraid of putting a tackle in - he was booked 14 times last season in La Liga.
- His surname means 'table' in Spanish.
The Sigurdsson effect
Gylfi Sigurdsson signed for Everton earlier this week for a fee in excess of £40 million.
He'll be a huge miss for Swansea. Who at Swansea can step up and replace him? It looks like Jordan Ayew will be played in a similar position today. Here's the scale of his task.
- Sigurdsson only missed 93 minutes of Premier League action for Swansea last season - scoring nine and assisting thirteen.
- He's the joint top scorer in this fixture in the Premier League - with three goals and three assists against Manchester United.
- He's beaten Manchester United more times than he's lost to them during his time at Swansea and Tottenham. His personal record against Manchester United is four wins, two draws, and three defeats.
Can Manchester United improve on last week?
It was arguably their best performance of the post Sir Alex Ferguson era, but can they pick up where they left off?
Signs are positive as Jose Mourinho has never lost to a Welsh club during his time with Manchester United and Chelsea.
vs Swansea
Played seven, won five, drawn two.
Overall goal difference of +11
At Manchester United last season - drew 1-1 at home and won 3-1 away
At Chelsea - won four, drew one
vs Cardiff City
Played two, won two
Overall goal difference of +4
Won 4-1 at home and 2-1 away with Chelsea
Swansea v Man Utd - all you need to know
What is it?
It's Swansea vs Manchester United, the first fixture of the second round of Premier League matches.
When is it?
It's on Saturday August 19.
What time is kick-off?
It's a 12.30 BST start time.
What TV channel is it on?
It's a Sky Sports production. You can watch it on Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event or Sky Sports Ultra HD.
Alternatively, you can follow the match live right here.
What is the team news?
Swansea City:
Swansea captain Leon Britton is doubtful for the visit of Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Britton has been struggling with a back injury, and Jay Fulton and summer signing Roque Mesa are on standby to replace the veteran midfielder.
Fernando Llorente (arm), Nathan Dyer (Achilles) and Ki Sung-yueng (knee) remain absent as Swansea play for the first time since Gylfi Sigurdsson's departure to Everton for a club-record fee.
Provisional squad: Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson, Britton, Carroll, Fer, Ayew, Routledge, Abraham, Nordfeldt, Mulder, Rangel, Kingsley, Van der Hoorn, Bartley, Mesa, Fulton, Grimes, Narsingh, McBurnie.
Manchester United:
Manchester United head to Swansea for Saturday's Premier League clash without any new injury problems.
Long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Ashley Young are set to step up their rehabilitation by playing for United's Under-23s against their Swansea counterparts on Monday.
Argentina defender Marcos Rojo is still several months from returning from serious knee ligament damage.
Provisional squad: De Gea, Romero, J Pereira, Valencia, Darmian, Blind, Jones, Bailly, Smalling, Lindelof, Tuanzebe, Matic, Carrick, Fellaini, Herrera, McTominay, Pogba, Lingard, Mkhitaryan, Mata, A Pereira, Martial, Rashford, Lukaku.
What are they saying?
Paul Clement on Nemanja Matic:
"I was surprised Chelsea let him go, I don't know how that deal managed to happen.
"It's not too good for Chelsea and Antonio Conte has made it clear he did not want that to happen. It is a win for United.
"He is good positionally, he has good physical stature, he is strong in the challenge and good in the air.
"He has also a nice left foot and is an under-rated passer and is very focused on his football."
Jose Mourinho:
"Everybody is fine. The next week, on Monday, in the Under-23s game, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young are playing their first minutes of competition this season.
"It is like a pre-season match for them. But it is good news because, when they can play with the Under-23s, it is because the last week they trained with us all week so they are both coming (back)."
What are the odds?
- Swansea win: 9/1
- Manchester United win: 4/11
- Draw: 15/4
What's our prediction?
Swansea's post Gylfi Sigurdsson era begins with a tough clash at home to Manchester United. Sigurdsson completed his £45million move to Everton this week and robbed the Liberty Stadium outfit of their best player. Jose Mourinho's United will be looking to add salt into the Welsh side's wounds after brushing aside West Ham on the opening weekend. Paul Clement has Swansea organised, but the visitors should have too much class and power.
Prediction 0-2 Alex Bywater