EPL Matchday 1: Swansea City vs Manchester United Preview

In the early stages, Robin van Persie could provide the surge as David Moyes gets used to the legacy of Manchester United

After the end of an era, Manchester United emerge into the next under an unfamiliar Scotsman. They play the Swans on Saturday, beginning the first of their grueling 5 opening matches which would include Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

This match would be indicative of the kind of football that Moyes’s Manchester United would play.

TEAM NEWS

Manchester United:

Rafael is out injured after the Wigan game, implying that either of Phil Jones or Smalling would be played at Right-Back. Nani and Young are both out injured, restricting the options in width.

Zaha may get some game-time here, but he is not expected to start, unless Moyes decides to gamble with him in place of the inconsistent ‘Not’ No.7 anymore, Antonio Valencia. Kagawa, Welbeck and Valencia are some of the options to play on the wings, though Valencia is the only true winger at the moment.

All eyes (the press) would be on a certain English striker, who may or may not be played, after the media circus that has been following his each and every move.

Another point of worry for United is the late eye test that Carrick would undertake to determine his availability for this match. Against a possession based team like Swansea, his presence would be a major game-changer for the Red Devils.

Swansea City:

Michu will be playing behind Wilfred Bony in attack, sounds deadly, surely?

After a very busy transfer window, Swansea will entertain the reigning champions with the credentials of being the only team who gave them a proper challenge during the decisive December, where United ran rampant and created a wide gap between them and Manchester City.

Liberty Stadium was the only place where United struggled and had to settle for a point apiece. The only injury concern that the Swans have, is Jonathan de Guzman, whose presence in the midfield is quite crucial when paired with a holding midfielder.

Other than that, they would surely play the new boy Wilfried Bony, who is expected to ease the pressure on Michu by playing upfront, with the Spanish marksman playing right behind him.

TACTICAL PREVIEW

Almost everybody knows what Swansea would play like, but the interesting part would be David Moyes’s strategy against them. Being the pragmatic manager that he is, overwhelming the Swans with the sheer quality is certainly out of the question.

With the wings not a very viable avenue of attack as Rafael, Nani and Young are absent, midfield becomes the key as United would be forced to play a 3-man midfield. That, or they could play 2 very deep-lying midfielders to protect their defence and then attack on the counter.

Both of these tactics make sense against Swansea, who would use a concentrated 4-man midfield with one inverted winger (Wayne Routledge) and 3 proper midfielders (Pablo Hernandez, Leon Britton and Jonjo Shelvey). Welbeck is sure to start this match as his work-rate would be crucial in disturbing Leon Britton, thereby negating the start of any Swansea attack.

PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Jonjo Shelvey:

Jonjo Shelvey has a point to prove

This is one man who has everything to gain and nothing to lose at this point. Having been sent down the pecking order at Anfield, he has a point to prove and he certainly does not lack in the talent department now, does he?

His combativeness and energy would benefit Swansea as they had lost points last season mainly due to the lack of cover from midfield in defence. Shelvey’s all-round gameplay would ensure that he would be as useful up the pitch as he would be down it.

Robin Van Persie:

The Flying Dutchman of United was considered the sole reason for their complete and utter domination in last year’s Premier League. If he can carry over that form this season, Moyes certainly would not have anything to worry about in the scoring department.

In a season where the bookies have placed the Red Devils as the third most likely to win EPL behind Pellegrini’s City and Mourinho’s Chelsea, Van Persie would be the deciding factor in the initial phase where Moyes would still be getting used to managing the legacy that is Manchester United.

PIE PREDICTION: Swansea 1-3 Manchester United

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