The action in the most competitive league in the world starts today and it all boils down to this late kick off; what a cracker we have in store for the first day of the season down in South Wales as the Champions Manchester United start their title defense away from home against a confident Welsh outfit, Swansea City. Life in Premier League would never be the same anymore for many reasons starting from today and one that connects today’s match is a no brain teaser – Manchester United for the first time in a long time, start their season without the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson in dug out. And for once Manchester United start their season under immense volatility due to lack of transfers, Wayne Rooney saga and more importantly under the “Chosen One” David Moyes!
Finishing 9th and winning the Capital One cup (formerly known as the League Cup) last season, Swansea City under Michael Laudrup are an entertaining and attacking team to watch out for this season. Swansea have gone about their transfer business in a neat fashion having strengthened in key areas all over the pitch with Jonjo Shelvey, Jordi Amat, Jose Canas and Wilfried Bony, who will partner Michu upfront. Their only absentee would be de Guzman, having suffered a head injury during the international friendlies. The Swans have had a productive pre-season build up to the season start by winning all 3 of their friendlies and the last of all having won 4-0 in their Europa League fixtures. Their defense looks strong having kept 5 clean sheets in all their 5 matches until now. Combine this with their attacking style of football at home, this match is going to be a cracker of a match.
The Champions could not have been dreaming of a tougher fixture than the current one to start their title defense, especially under a new manager! But as the saying goes, it is these kind of fixtures that the champions thrive upon. Saying that, today’s fixture against The Swans will set the tone for the next 4 matches, as the first 5 matches will make (or) break the new era at Manchester United. Off to a winning start in his first competitive match against the Championship side Wigan Athletic with a 2-0 win, the Manchester United fans around the world will hope that David Moyes will have prepared well for this one! Moyes can take confidence that he has a fantastic record against the Welsh Teams while at Everton. Although, Moyes faces a nagging problem with an Injury ravaged United side with Nani, Young, Chicharito, Carrick, Darren Fletcher all ruled out and Rafael serving the last of his 3 match ban he received last season. And with Wayne Rooney not yet deemed to be match fit, the current Manchester United side looks much younger apart from Van Persie and Ryan Giggs. Saying that, Manchester United should and cannot be under estimated simply because of one thing – they have a strong core that has kept them going forwards all along, which the Swans & Laudrup are aware off!
Quotes:
Says Swansea manager Michael Laudrup on United, “It’s never the right moment to play Man United because there is always quality. I could sit here and say it’s the best moment you can play Man United or top team like that and we lose 3-0 on Saturday. But [having] said that we know we have to play them, so I think in the beginning is not a bad moment”.
Says Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, “Going into the season as champions brings that expectation. We know that when we step out onto the pitch we’re seen as the best but we know we need to show that we are, and we’re all determined to do that. We’ve got some big fixtures at the start of the season but if we can put on some really good performances then it’s going to give us a big boost if we can pick up a few points and possibly set us apart from our rivals”.
Statistics:
- Swansea City for the first time in 7 years start at home after losing to Cheltenham last time during 2006
- Swansea City are yet to beat Manchester United in premier league
- This is Manchester United’s first game in 1046 league games that they are starting under a new manager
- Manchester United have only won once at Swansea since 1932
Prediction
With an unpredictable season kicking off today, The Swans should be going all guns out to start their season off in flying colors and I have no doubts why they can’t do so. Yet, with a strong Manchester united DNA running all over the team and with almost the same team available for selection from the last title winning season, the only pitfall that Moyes and his Manchester United team might face in their 1st match could be due to the pressure of managing Manchester United for the 1st time.
Swansea City 1 – 2 Manchester United