Good afternoon and welcome to the second Premier League liveblog of the day as we follow all the action between Manchester United and Swansea City from Old Trafford.
The Swans have won the last three meetings between the sides and Louis van Gaal’s Man United have gone eight games in all competitions without winning.
The pressure is mounting on van Gaal and he’s in desperate need of three points this afternoon. Kick-off is at 3pm.
The team news is in and van Gaal has made one change to the side which drew with Chelsea last time out as Phil Jones returns for Matteo Darmian.
Swansea’s caretaker manager Alan Curtis has made seven changes for this afternoon’s game.
Not long until kick-off now. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail ryan@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.
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So lets take a closer look at today’s starting line-ups. Louis van Gaal has stuck with the side which produced an improved performance against Chelsea, with the only change seeing Jones drafted in at the back.
There were certainly signs of encouragement, particularly in midfield, and that means there’s no place for Michael Carrick, who is on the bench alongside Fellaini, Memphis and Pereira.
Plenty of changes for the visitors as they look to build on their recent surge in form. The Swans are unbeaten in their last three outings.
The scene is set at Old Trafford.
In the game’s early kick-off, West Ham have just beaten Liverpool 2-0 at Upton Park. There are seven other games today, including United’s clash with Swansea.
The atmosphere is building at Old Trafford – but can United arrest their recent slump and return to winning ways?
Louis van Gaal’s first game in charge was against Swansea in August 2014 and could it be his last? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Swansea have won just one of their last 10 Premier League away games but caretaker manager Alan Curtis has presided over two draws and a win in the last three outings.
Speaking before the game, he said they are starting to return to the style of play the Welsh club are associated with while also praising the spirit shown by the players.
Both teams are out on the pitch and ready for action. It’s a dry, cold afternoon in Manchester as we approach kick-off. Jonathan Moss is today’s referee.
Kick-off! Swansea, attacking the Stretford End, get us underway.
Bright start from United as they look to set the tone for the game. Ander Herrera very nearly creates the opening for himself but his shot is blocked.
Alan Curtis is already on the touchline as his side find themselves under early pressure. The visitors are just looking to take the sting out of United’s fast start and settle into this contest themselves.
Martial and Young link-up nicely but the former is stopped in his tracks by Federico Fernandez. Moments later, Martial picks it up again on the left and drives towards goal. He gets a bit of luck but skips past a couple of challenges but the power is taken out of his shot.
Important intervention from Herrera. Swansea break with pace and purpose through Ayew down the left. He looks to pick out Sigurdsson in the middle but the Spaniard is quickly across to snuff out the danger.
At the other end, Swansea find themselves stretched but Williams holds firm to close the door on the hosts. Very lively tempo to this game already with Routledge offering the visitors an outlet down the right.
Dangerous moment for United as Herrera fouls Ki on this near touchline. Sigurdsson trots across to take the set-piece but his delivery is poor. Lively opening period at Old Trafford but no goals just yet.
Young makes a break down the right but Neil Taylor gets back at him to block the cross. From the resulting set-piece, Daley Blind’s set-piece is woeful, yet again, and Swansea clear.
Schweinsteiger is still moving gingerly after a challenge a few minutes ago. The German looks to have shaken the knock off but the United medical team are keeping a close eye.
After a purposeful start from the hosts, it’s all gone a little flat at Old Trafford. Rooney tries his luck from a free-kick but only hits the wall as Swansea continue to grow in stature.
They weathered the early storm and are now passing the ball around crisply.
Chance for Rooney but his first touch lets him down and he’s stretching when the opening for the shot finally arrives. Lukasz Fabianski isn’t troubled as the United captain’s effort goes into the side-netting.
Halfway through the first period and it remains scoreless at Old Trafford. Not much in the way of clear-cut chances and, as we’ve come to expect, United have dominated the possession.
Same old, same old really.
Nothing much to report from the last few minutes. Jack Cork is down receiving treatment on his left eye but he’s okay to continue. This suits Swansea as the game continues to be disrupted.
David de Gea is forced into action for the first time as Routledge switches to the left and strikes the bouncing ball sweetly. His effort is arrowing towards the top corner but it’s comfortable for de Gea in the end as he plucks it out of the air.
At the other end, Mata finds space but his cut back just doesn’t have enough space to find Rooney.
Swansea’s confidence is growing as the half progresses. They’re find plenty of space on both flanks and are giving United something to think about.
All of Swansea’s players appeal for a penalty and they’re continue their protestations to the referee. Routledge’s low cross deflects off Schneiderlin’s boot and onto his arm. It clearly strikes the Frenchman’s arm but it would have been very harsh, given he knew nothing about it.
United look to quickly counter and Martial is heavily involved. He wins a free-kick and Herrera takes it quickly to Mata. The Spaniard has acres of space but his shot is tame and easy for Fabianski.
Much better from United. Beautiful ball picks out Young on the right. The winger takes it down and whips in an inviting cross to the back post for Rooney. He does everything right but Cork is there to block his goal-bound header and Swansea survive.
This says it all.
Five minutes to go until half-time. Ashley Young has had a good half on the right and is having plenty of joy. On this occasion, he skips past Leon Britton and cuts it back for Mata.
His shot does through the legs of Williams but is straight at the goalkeeper. Chris Smalling, meanwhile, is shown a yellow card for a foul on Ayew. Not a whole lot of contact but enough for Moss to show the United defender the card.
Frustration inside Old Trafford. It just isn’t happening for United at the minute and it’s the same old problems for Louis van Gaal as we near the break. Just a minute to go.
Another sight of goal for Rooney. Again it’s Young with a cross from the right and the striker gets his head onto it but his effort lacks power.
Half-time! Surprise, surprise, goalless at Old Trafford.
Another dull half of football at Old Trafford.
Teams are back out for the second-half. Can United find this elusive breakthrough? Louis van Gaal has made one change at the break with Matteo Darmian replacing Phil Jones.
Back underway at Old Trafford. Fast start from the hosts as Rooney swivels on the edge of the box and creates the opening for himself. His low effort is deflected behind and the hosts keep the pressure on with a succession of corners. No joy, however.
GOAL! Man United 1-0 Swansea (Martial)
Brilliant start to the half for the home side. Young provides another perfect cross and Martial does the rest by heading into the ground and past the goalkeeper.
Palpable sense of relief around Old Trafford. The hosts smell blood now and are looking for an instant second.
Swansea will have to change their approach now but they’re just taking stock for the time being and reassessing after that early setback.
And they certainly pose a threat. It requires a last-ditch block from Darmian to prevent a certain equaliser as the Swans filed forward. Sigurdsson got in behind and looked to set-up Ayew in the centre but the Italian defender made good ground to avert the danger.
United look far more potent in this second-half and there are red shirts queueing up in the box to head home Young’s delivery but Williams is there.
It’s all United at the minute as Herrera fires over a shot from the edge of the box. Much better movement from Rooney as he runs in behind and tees-up the Spaniard.
Swansea, meanwhile, are making a change as Leon Britton is being taken off for Modou Barrow.
Off the post! Ayew’s powerful header comes back off the post with de Gea beaten and Rangel is then booked for diving after looking for a penalty from the rebound.
Martial heads United into the lead.
United have been much superior in this second period but Swansea are right in this contest. They have pace on the break and as long as it stays 1-0, they’ll fancy their chances of snatching a point.
Martial looks to seal the win but his attempted outside-of-the-boot effort comes off wrong and he skews it well wide from a tight angle.
GOAL! Man United 1-1 Swansea (Sigurdsson)
And there it is! Swansea equalise as Sigurdsson ghosts in and heads Barrow’s cross up and over de Gea.
Man United have to start again now and they’re suddenly all over the place at the back as Swansea look to take full advantage. Sigurdsson’s shot is blocked and Smalling does just enough to clear his lines. Old Trafford has gone very quiet again.
GOAL! Man United 2-1 Swansea (Rooney)
Absolutely brilliant from Rooney. Martial skips down the left, gets to the byline and fires a low cross across goal. Rooney charges in at the front post and flicks the ball home from a tight angle.
Eight minutes remaining and United lead again. Last throw of the dice for Swansea as they bring in Jefferson Montero and Bafetimbi Gomis for Routledge and Ayew.
Nervy last few minutes in store for the home side. They’re suddenly sitting back and inviting the pressure and the tension levels inside Old Trafford are increasing.
United have done well in the last few minutes to keep hold of possession as we approach the 90 minute mark.
Ander Herrera received a warm ovation as he trudges off to be replaced by Michael Carrick. We’re going to have four minutes of added time.
Save! De Gea forced into a smart stop as Ashley Williams fires a long-range effort goalwards. Sweet strike from the Swansea captain but the goalkeeper was equal to it.
United defend the corner and that should see them through. Just 30 seconds remaining.
United deal with the initial threat but it’s launched back into the box. Swansea win another corner and Fabianski comes up for the set-piece. He rises highest and meets the cross full on but his header goes inches wide of the post.
Full-time! United hold on and return to winning ways but it was far from convincing.
Thanks for joining us this afternoon, full reaction to come from all today’s Premier League games.
