After a near flawless performance at home against West Ham in the opening week of the season, Manchester United will travel to Wales in Round 2 as they take on Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils turned in one of their best performances in the post Ferguson era, putting in four past a West Ham side that, at least on paper, had the potential to cause some trouble, with the likes of Joe Hart, Marko Arnautovic, Pablo Zabaleta and Javier Hernandez in the opposition XI.
However United were simply too good for the Hammers, especially in midfield, where new signing Nemanja Matic produced a Man of the Match performance on his league debut. Romelu Lukaku, also making his maiden appearance at Old Trafford, netted twice, to extend his incredible scoring record against Slaven Bilic’s men (11 in 11 games). With West Ham slacking defensively, Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba added two late in the game to send United top of the table.
Against West Ham, Mourinho played Phil Jones alongside Eric Bailly in the heart of defence and the centre-back showed glimpses of the player many thought he should’ve already been if not for his constant injury setbacks. Given the summer acquisitions at the Etihad, the Premier League betting odds at 888Sport have City as the favourites to win the title, but don’t count Mourinho out despite his unflattering 16/17 campaign- this is the second season of his Old Trafford stint, and historically, his second seasons have been very, very successful.
United scored one goal on the counter, one from a set piece and two from nice passing moves- almost a perfect performance for the 75,000 odd spectators who turned up at Old Trafford.
Swansea survived relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, and if their opening game against Saints at St.Mary’s was anything to go by, they’re in for a similar struggle this season too. Paul Clement’s side failed to register a single shot on target on the South Coast and look a significantly weaker side without injured striker Fernando Llorente and midfield maestro Gylfi Sigurdsson- two players who were instrumental in keeping them up last season. Icelandic star Sigurdsson has just moved to Everton for a club record £45m.
Last season, the Swans lost 3-1 at the Liberty and drew the reverse fixture 1-1 at Old Trafford. However they have caused United problems in the past- they won three in a row against the Red Devils between August 2014 and 2015, including twin 2-1 triumphs at the Liberty. However this United side is a far superior one, and the Swans have their work cut out if they are to spring a surprise over the weekend.
H2H last five games
Man Utd 1-1 Swansea
Swansea 1-3 Man Utd
Man Utd 2-1 Swansea
Swansea 2-1 Man Utd
Swansea 2-1 Man Utd