1. Attractiveness and entertainment
In today’s pre-match press conference, Louis van Gaal said that his players, “finally understand his philosophy”. After more than six months in charge, of the Manchester United and majorly mediocre performances, some fans would say they took too long. There’s no doubt United ‘got away with murder’ after bizarrely poor games against Burnley at Old Trafford and at Deepdale stadium in the FA Cup tie, against Preston North End, but in the end they got the result they needed after improved 2nd half performances.
Van Gaal himself said the level of play in the first halves of those games was unacceptable and that the tempo must be kept high from the first whistle of the match. Five days will have passed between the FA Cup 5th round victory and Swansea game and it is expected of United’s first eleven to show the quality of this week’s training work in terms of high-speed play, chances created and shots on target managed which weren’t up to standard during the last month.
2. Strikers partnership
Wayne Rooney got a rare chance to play on his preferred position against Preston and it will be interesting to see where the manager will put the United captain tomorrow. In contrast to his forward partner Radamel Falcao, Rooney offered good movement and found himself in some decent attacking positions, which resulted with a late foul and a calmly converted penalty. Shy Falcao was subbed off in the 60th minute mark with inspired Ashley Young who contributed in actions leading to two goals which could suggest Falcao’s number of starting appearances might be reduced in the upcoming time.
Robin van Persie is in contention to start at the Liberty Stadium after missing the last game, but it’s more likely his playing time will come in the latter stages of the match, especially if Falcao gets the nod. Apart from young James Wilson, the scorer on Monday, Marouane Fellaini is another option to consider if United’s chosen partnership doesn’t produce.
3. Who will start alongside Rojo?
Phil Jones recovered from his short-term knee injury and it’s a possibility he could get the chance to play ahead of Chris Smalling. When both United centre-backs were fit to play, Jones was picked ahead of former Fulham defender and didn’t convince his selection during that time. Recklessness and nervousness were the first impressions of his recent performances, but Smalling’s recovery from his December injury and all-round poor Jonny Evans kept Jones in the side. Smalling scored two goals in a Burnley win and provided great aerial attacking threat from set-pieces in the last two games, which might have put him above Jones in Louis van Gaal’s hierarchy. Dangerous Swansea attack in a demanding away game might just be too big of a task for Paddy McNair.
4. Herrera to partner Blind in the midfield?
Ander Herrera justified his 90 minutes on Monday with lively and ever-present midfield performance. The Spaniard welcomed his inclusion on the team-sheet with an equalising goal, which brought his Man United tally to 4 goals. His minutes-to-goal ratio this season beats the ones of likes of Radamel Falcao and Wayne Rooney and it’s no wonder fans were screaming every time he was left on the bench. Lack of complete midfielders in the centre of the pitch eventually softened van Gaal. On the other hand, Juan Mata was an unused substitute for the last three matches and it seems he isn’t in manager’s plans for foreseeable future.
Michael Carrick still carries an injury and is declared as unavailable for the trip while Adnan Januzaj’s time on the pitch is under threat from fit Ashley Young and in-form Antonio Valencia. Angel di Maria and Rooney will undoubtedly start against Swansea, so the number of places that are up for grabs might not go in favour of Mata.
5. Second half changes
Decision-making from the United’s coaching trio Louis van Gaal, Ryan Giggs and Albert Stuivenberg has been unclear to say at least during the Premier League matches. A tactical nous that is often attributed to the Dutch expert has been dormant, especially during some woeful away games, of which draws at Turf Moor, Villa Park and Britannia Stadium comes to mind. “Unbalanced” United teams might not have given van Gaal much needed safety to go and “throw the kitchen sink” at the hosts in those game, but lately things have significantly improved.
Extra time equaliser against West Ham and the completed comeback at the Deepdale (first of the season!) are obvious sign of the implemented winning mentality, persistence and belief. However, supporters could do without the drama that follows United’s trips this season and would rather see an attempt to close the game with some defensive extra-time substitutions, while cruising with the comfortable 3-0 against the Saturday’s home side.
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