After claiming in the build-up to today’s match at the
Liberty Stadium that his players were finally getting to grips with his
philosophy, Louis Van Gaal watched on as his Manchester United side crashed to
a 2-1 defeat against a Swansea side who completed a first-ever league double
over the visitors from Old Trafford.
Despite taking the lead through a crisp Ander Herrera
strike, United’s defensive frailties were once again exposed when Ki-Sung Yueng
levelled almost immediately before a second half Jonjo Shelvey shot spun off the
head of Bafetimbi Gomis to hand the Swans a famous win.
In truth, Garry Monk’s side barely done enough to merit all
three points as United dominated the possession stakes but the Welsh outfit will
no doubt point to a solid and steadfast defensive display which was marshalled
by the impressive Ashley Williams.
However, the home side were helped by another disjointed
display from United, particularly in attack, where the returning Robin Van
Persie looked well off the pace while Wayne Rooney, who was restored to his
preferred role up front, endured a frustrating afternoon in South Wales.
Herrera was perhaps the brightest of United’s front six in
the first half as he scampered into space on a number of occasions, linking up with
makeshift right back Paddy McNair, but the youngster’s end product disappointed
all too often.
Meanwhile, on the other side, it was a role reversal as Luke
Shaw looked threatening time and again as he attacked Swansea right back Kyle
Naughton, but it was Angel Di Maria who was sloppy in possession.
The one time that it did click for United resulted in
Herrera finding the same corner of the net as he did in Monday’s FA Cup win
over Preston North End.
The Spaniard fired beautifully in off Lucas Fabianski’s
right-hand post just before the half-hour mark after Di Maria and Rooney linked
up following a fine run by Shaw.
That was the sole contribution from Di Maria, who, after a
bright start to his career in Manchester following his £60million switch from Real
Madrid, has struggled of late to provide any significant attacking thrust.
No doubt Van Gaal will have reddened around the cheeks just two
minutes later though as not for the first time this season United switched off
at the back to allow Shelvey to fire a low in-swinging cross into the penalty
area where Ki - who scored in Swansea’s opening day win at Old Trafford in
August - guided the ball passed the despairing David De Gea.
 |
| Bafetimbi Gomis inadvertently scored the winning goal as Swansea completed a league double over Manchester United |
With Antonio Valencia replacing McNair at the break United
continued to dominate possession in the second half but a familiar pattern
emerged as the Red Devils huffed and puffed but could not find any rhythm in
the final third.
Swans’ stopper Fabianski comfortably gathered a Van Persie
effort after he had played a neat one-two with Rooney but the 31-year-old Dutchman’s
afternoon was summed up by his final 10 minutes which saw him hobble about with
an injured ankle as United had made all their substitutions.
Earlier Van Persie had fired into the side netting while
also seeing an effort in the first half graze the top of the crossbar.
At the other end, life without departed top-scorer Wilfried
Bony continued at the Liberty Stadium with Gomis now assuming the main striking
role for Monk’s men.
The Frenchman looked lively, particularly in the opening 30
minutes, and was a constant thorn in the United defence with his pace and
direct running.
Indeed, the former Lyon hitman should have scored twice with
two close range headers from corners - the first cleared off the line by
Herrera while the second sailed over De Gea’s crossbar.
However, Gomis’ head was to prove the deciding factor in the
end as he guided the ball, albeit inadvertently, passed De Gea after Shelvey picked
the ball up in oceans of space 25 yards out before letting fly in the 73rd minute.
The final 20 minutes of the game saw United desperately chase an equaliser by reverting to what is becoming an all too familiar Plan B - namely hump it up to Marouane Fellaini and hope to pick up the scraps.
Meat and drink to Williams and co.
Its back to the philosophical drawing board for Van Gaal and United.
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