United Drops Points With First Draw

Swansea 1 - Manchester United 1
Scorers
Swansea: Michu (29)
Manchester United: Evra (16)

Team: De Gea, Vidic, Evans, Jones, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley (Scholes 85), Valencia (Hernandez 62), Young, Rooney (Giggs 78), Van Persie

Gotta admit this result is somewhat disappointing. Given how we're markedly improved our play in the last few weeks, this one pales in comparison. Credit should also be given to Swansea, who never panicked. Even under intense pressure in the second half, they insisted on playing their way out of trouble and if you're a neutral, are a delight to watch. Unfortunately, they did it against us.

What was more disappointing was the fact that we didn't have any impact substitutes. When it mattered most, we could only rely on Scholes and Giggs as our trump cards off the bench. And when the inevitable substitutions came, we ended up more stiffled instead of pressing the issue. It was a shame. We didn't really look too bad, and it did seem like a matter of time before we clinched the winner too.

Evra put us infront from a corner early in the game, but Michu continued his irresistable goalscoring form and pulled Swansea level. In truth, Swansea did look the better team in the first half, exploiting holes in our porous defense from the counter attack.

We came out with more impetus in the second half and for good parts really made Vorm work for his money. On the other side, De Gea too had his hands full taking out the threat provided by Michu and his speedy wingers.

United, on the other hand, offered little in terms of flank play and it was a matter of time before Valencia was taken out to be replaced by Hernandez.

Rooney found himself in the referee's book and sensing a red mist rising, Ferguson took no chances and replaced him with Giggs. The downside to that decision was that the ineffective Young remained on the pitch.

The game was nearly brought into disrepute when AshleyWilliams slammed the ball into Van Persie's header after the whistle had blown. It was a low blow and the Dutchman reacted, nearly bringing on a free for all. Luckily cooler heads ruled the day and order was maintained. The two players involved were booked for their troubles.

United, perhaps spurred on by the incident, really poured on the pressure. Swansea held on resolutely and eventually were happy, and perhaps relieved, to play the time out.

We really missed Kagawa, Anderson and Nani. They could have come on and made a difference. Right now, there is no competition on the wings, and when neither Young nor Valencia made an impact, we have no one to bring on to change things up. As good as Giggs and Scholes are, they are spot players. Both would be tremendous players to bring on to see a game out with their vast experience, but to chase a game, neither has the speed to shake things up.

Chicharito Does It Again

Swansea City 0 - Manchester United 1
Scorer
Manchester United: Hernandez (10)


Team: De Gea, Rio, Vidic, Evra (Fabio 51), Jones, Carrick, Giggs (Fletcher 76), Park, Nani, Rooney, Hernandez (Valencia 84)

It was another uninspiring game, but we managed to squeeze out our third consecutive 1-0 victory in as many league games. We've tightened up considerably since the derby day destruction.

The results are welcomed but the product on the pitch is pretty blend. We got an early lead thanks to some really horrid passing from The Swans and Giggs capitalized to put Hernandez thru for a simple goal. From then on, we stopped trying to get the second.

We spent a huge portion of the game allowing Swansea time and space to come at us. We were content to spend our efforts and energy defending the lead. As dull as the game was, I have to admit we did a credibly good job at that, barring the open goal that Sinclair missed in the 22nd minute.

We were so dugged in that we didn't even push men forward on the counter. There were at least 2 occasions where Nani was left out, hung to dry when he brought the ball forward. Both times he held on the to ball and had to wait a good 5 seconds before anyone plodded forward to create an outlet for him to pass. As we all know, 5 seconds in football is an eternity and by the time Giggs or Carrick moved, Nani had already lost the ball. We were so entrenched in defending that we didn't even want to get the cushion of a second goal.

It was quite painful to watch, and that's just how we've been playing since 6-1 happened to us. The adventure seems to have gone, and we're just dragging towards the January transfer window, hoping it would open for a new wind to rejuvenate a broken spirit. And it can't come soon enough.