Blog: Welcomed in Wales

Collective effort at Swansea

"It was a "job done" sort of performance.  A real team display rather than a game where individuals stood out."

- Stewart Gardner, MUTV

21/11/2011 16:27, Report by Stewart Gardner, MUTV

Top of my Christmas present wish list?

A new satnav or at the very least an updated satnav map. The final straw came on Saturday. Instead of punching in the post code for the Liberty Stadium I instead opted for Swansea City FC in the options list on the satnav. And the cheeky devil of a machine took me to the Vetch Field, Swansea's old home...

"You have reached your destination," blurted Homer Simpson (the voice of my satnav) as I pulled into a cul de sac near the city centre. No I hadn't! There followed a panicky call to the office who managed to tell me what the post code for the Liberty Stadium was. I was about three miles away and eventually made it after asking a kindly taxi driver for directions.

I am a bit obsessed about getting to grounds early, at least three hours before kick off, and I left home so early that I still arrived three hours before kick-off despite the geographical turmoil. But my pride was hurt and my work colleagues were merciless in their mocking of me.

As for the game itself, once again it was a "job done" sort of performance. A real team display rather than a game where individuals stood out. Having said that, I think that Michael Carrick was very effective in his first league start of the season and Nemanja Vidic justfied Alan Hansen's description of him as "by far" the best centre-half in the Barclays Premier League.

I know United have lost a bit of razzle dazzle at the moment but they have gone through a very necessary process of defensive tightening since the derby. Five successive clean sheets tells its own story.

In the tunnel after the game, Swansea's injured former United defender Alan Tate was waiting for his old team-mate Darren Fletcher. He wanted Fletch to sign a shirt. Whilst he was waiting, Sir Alex came over and had a really good chat with Alan. It must have made him feel ten feet tall. He left United the best part of a decade ago but the manager treated him like he was a current member of the United squad. That says a lot about the qualities of the boss.

I must also mention that Swansea as a club could not have been more accommodating hosts. Nothing was too much trouble. The atmosphere was terrific and they are a really good addition to the top flight.

Let's hope the Swans stay up and hopefully next season I will travel to the right stadium, with or without Homer Simpson's help.

Stewart Gardner presents The Paddy Crerand Show, Monday evenings on MUTV at 18:30 GMT.

source : Manutd

Report: Swansea 0 United 1

Swansea city 0

manchester united 1

hernandez (11)

19 NOVEMBER 2011, LIBERTY STADIUM ATTENDANCE: 20,295


19/11/2011 19:20, Report by Gemma Thompson

United remain hot on the heels of neighbours Manchester City after registering a first-ever win at Swansea City.

This was the first meeting between the two teams in 28 years with the Reds never having beaten the Welsh side on their own patch in eight previous attempts. Brendan Rodgers’ side were intent on maintaining that record and indeed this season’s unbeaten run at the Liberty Stadium, but Javier Hernandez’s 11th-minute strike proved decisive as Sir Alex’s men, who were professional in their play, rather than prolific, overcame a spirited display from the Swans.

With Manchester City eight points clear at the top of the table at kick-off, Sir Alex knew victory was imperative and he sent out a strong team with that very much in mind. There were three changes to the side that beat Sunderland with David De Gea returning in goal, Michael Carrick starting his first league game of the season and Ryan Giggs back in action in his native Wales and featuring in his first match for five weeks after a spell in the treatment room. And it was the Welshman who ensured the Reds got off to the perfect start on 11 minutes.

Angel Rangel dithered on the ball at the back and his attempted pass was easily cut out by Giggs. The midfielder powered into the area before sliding a low cross into the path of Javier Hernandez who side-footed home from close range to keep up his impressive run of goals away from home.

Swansea, who had come out of the blocks with real intent, remained buoyant despite the early blow and went close to restoring parity on 22 minutes; indeed, Scott Sinclair will still be wondering how he didn’t get his name on the scoresheet. Just after Patrice Evra had seen a low drive well held by Michel Vorm, the Swans' lone front man Danny Graham shrugged off a challenge at the other end to put Wayne Routledge in. His cross cannoned off Carrick and into the path of Sinclair who, with the goal gaping and De Gea struggling to get back in position, completely missed the ball from eight yards out.

The Reds, in relative control thereafter, set about trying to build on the 1-0 advantage. After Giggs had flashed a free-kick just wide nine minutes from the break, Hernandez found himself clear down the right but he over-hit his cross towards the onrushing Rooney and the chance was gone.

It was the Swans who had the first sight of goal after the restart. Joe Allen, brought on to replace Routledge, rolled the ball out to Sinclair who sent a powerful left-foot drive goalwards, but it was well parried by De Gea. Gary Monk then miscued a free header from the resulting corner.

The Swans continued to battle but De Gea and co. held firm. At the other end, Hernandez was always a threat on the break, while Rooney was involved in virtually all of United’s good play. Indeed, the England striker tried his luck from long range on 70 minutes, but Vorm claimed well.

With only one goal in it, the Swans continued to probe. Sinclair escaped the attentions of Rooney down the left and picked out Graham in the box. His shot was well blocked by Carrick, while Ashley Williams saw his follow-up effort cleared by Ferdinand.

With time almost up, the Reds went close to doubling the lead on three occasions in quick succession. First, Rooney chipped the ball onto the roof of the net, and then Jones, on one of his now renowned bursts forward, saw his low drive from inside the area deflected against the far post by Vorm. Finally, Nani sent a curling effort just wide.

United held out for a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions and ensured the team across town are far from out of sight in the league.

source : Manutd

Concentration was key

"The concentration we showed today is exactly the concentration we need back in the team. We’ve tightened things up and there were some good performances by our defenders."

- Sir Alex Ferguson

19/11/2011 19:30, Report by Gemma Thompson

Sir Alex hailed his side’s concentration levels in the hard-fought victory at Swansea on Saturday and reserved special praise for Michael Carrick on his first league start of the season.

Javier Hernandez’s 11th-minute goal proved the difference in the 1-0 win, but it was the Reds’ dogged display at the back which pleased the manager, as did the impressive performance by Carrick in the centre of the field.

“Keeping clean sheets has been an integral part of our success and we have been careless with our defending,” he told MUTV.

“A few weeks ago there was genuine criticism about the defending and the chances opponents were getting. Swansea didn’t really make any chances apart from the miss they had in the first half.

“It was a solid performance and we never looked like losing the game. We were comfortable and had good possession. And when you win these games 1-0 it brings the concentration back to a good level which has been lacking. The concentration we showed today is exactly the concentration we need back in the team.

“We’ve tightened things up and there were some good performances by our defenders. And Michael Carrick was outstanding. I thought he did really well – it was a big performance from him.

“To get Michael back to that form and have the likes of Ryan [Giggs] available gives us good options. We also brought on Fabio, Fletcher and Valencia which shows you the strength of the squad – they were good changes at important times in the game.

"The squad we’ve got now is strong and I can make changes with confidence and that’s very important at this stage of the season.”

It was United’s first-ever victory at Swansea and it brought the Swans’ unbeaten home run this season to an end as well.

“They’ve got a great home record and that’s something we looked at before the game,” added Sir Alex. “They’re a good football team and they keep the ball well.

“We maybe should have done better with the chances we got towards the end of the game, but when you look at the way Swansea have been going in terms of form it was a good result.”

source : Manutd

Player ratings v Swansea

19/11/2011 21:00, Report by A Bostock, G Thompson

We assess how the Reds performed in the win over Swansea at the Liberty Stadium...

David De Gea - Showed safe handling on crosses and made a great save when called upon early in the second half to thwart Sinclair at the near post.

Phil Jones – A solid return to his day job for United at right-back, after two games in midfield for England. Was unlucky not to open his goalscoring account after hitting the post in the dying stages.

Nemanja Vidic – Courage and command summed up by a diving header to clear from Danny Graham’s boot at a second-half corner. A typically colossal display from the skipper.

Rio Ferdinand – Played to Vidic’s left and was in the right place at the right time on several occasions, not least when he denied Williams with the second of two blocks in quick succession as the Swans threatened to equalise.

Patrice Evra – Was tested by the pace of Nathan Dyer and took a blow in the face just before half-time which eventually forced him off soon after the restart.

Nani – Had a quiet game on the whole but almost iced his 25th birthday cake with virtually the last kick of the game, curling a shot just beyond the far post.

Michael Carrick – Made his first league start of 2011/12 and received special praise from the manager after the game following an immense performance. His passing was top-notch and he also made some brave tackles at key moments.

Ryan Giggs – Recalled to the eleven for the first time since the Anfield trip after a spell out injured, the Welshman ruthlessly punished Angel Rangel’s error to set up Hernandez’s winner. There was no romantic outcome for a direct free-kick however, as he bent his shot wide.

Ji-sung Park – Operated on the left flank and put in another solid shift in what was a decent team performance overall. Was on hand to provide cover defensively when needed.

Javier Hernandez – Away from home this season Chicha has had six shots on target and five have resulted in goals – that’s some going from Mexican. Was in the right place at the right time once more to slot home the winner.

Wayne Rooney – Like Jones, Wazza also reverted to a more familiar position, playing in behind Hernandez and providing the Mexican with some excellent service. Went close to netting himself with a chipped effort in the final minutes.

Substitutes

Fabio (for Evra, 51 mins) – Provided good energy down the left and, as always, enjoyed getting stuck into the action.

Darren Fletcher (for Giggs, 76 mins) – Brought on to sure up the midfield late on and went about his job with typical determination and desire.

Antonio Valencia (for Hernandez, 84 mins) – Looked sharp, and played a lovely pass through to Jones who went on to smack the woodwork.

source : Manutd

Swansea v United preview

16/11/2011 15:16 , Adam Marshall

United head to Wales for the first time in Barclays Premier League history...

Form Guide

It's been four wins and four clean sheets since the derby defeat to City and the 1-0 victory against Sunderland kept United within five points of City at the top of the Barclays Premier League. The Swans have been in good form of late, after being unluckily pegged back to a 2-2 draw at Wolves, the Welsh side saw off Bolton 3-1 and held Liverpool to a goalless stalemate at Anfield. City are still unbeaten at home all season and have yet to concede a goal to an opposition player at The Liberty Stadium as Bolton's consolation came when Danny Graham put through his own net.

Ins and Outs

Danny Welbeck withdrew from England duty in midweek and Michael Owen is out for six weeks so the striking options may not look as plentiful as in the past. Ashley Young and  Ryan Giggs will hope to push for inclusion but Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck are out and Fabio picked up a knock whilst away with Brazil. Stephen Dobbie could feature for the hosts as he returns from an ankle injury and Kemy Agustien is over a hamstring problem.

Last Meeting

United sank the Swans 2-1 in May, 1983, towards the end of the successful FA Cup-winning campaign. Frank Stapleton and Bryan Robson scored the goals for Ron Atkinson's side in front of almost 36,000 fans at Old Trafford.

Top Man

Michel Vorm has proved to be one of the shrewdest signings of the close season and is one of the main reasons behind the club's five clean sheets this term. The Dutch keeper was snapped up from FC Utrecht and has looked a class act since day one, even managing to shine in a 4-0 thumping at Manchester City.

At 28, he is part of Holland's plans ahead of the European Championship and United will be looking to provide a test for his shot-stopping ability this weekend.

Quote/unquote

"It’s a wonderful game for everyone to look forward to, but it’s also a celebration for the people of this city that we are going to entertain one of the biggest clubs in the world and one of the greatest managers in the world." - Brendan Rodgers.

Any sub-plots?

The Liberty Stadium will host a record sell-out crowd and United will be hoping for a better record than the one enjoyed at Swansea's previous home. In eight games at the Vetch Field, the Reds lost six times and drew twice, ensuring it was something of a bogey ground.

Whistle Blower

Mike Dean takes charge of matters in Wales - it's the first time he's overseen United this term. He officiated City's 4-0 win against Swansea in the clubs' first game of the season so a similar result would be much appreciated. Dean was the man in the middle for several of the champions' fixtures during the last campaign and sent off two Reds - Rafael and Paul Scholes against Tottenham and City respectively.

Rivals Watch

Leaders City entertain Newcastle at 3pm on Saturday after Arsenal are at Norwich in the early kick-off. Chelsea face Liverpool in Sunday's big match at Stamford Bridge.

source : Manutd

Fletcher lauds Swans

“They play football the right way and have been a breath of fresh air since coming into the Premier League. It’s going to be a real challenge.”

 - Darren Fletcher

17/11/2011 12:16, Report by Mark Froggatt

Darren Fletcher has praised Swansea City's attacking intent ahead of United’s first-ever Premier League trip to Wales on Saturday. Fletcher lauds Swans

The Reds midfielder has been impressed by the football on show at the Liberty Stadium, where Brendan Rogers’ newly-promoted side are still unbeaten after five home games in the top flight. Overall, the Swans have earned a respectable 13 points from a possible 33.

"It’s a new experience for us all. They’re the first Welsh team in the Premier League and going there will be a great experience," Fletcher told ManUtd.com.

"Swansea have been applauded for the football they’ve played this season. When I was on international duty, I spoke to a couple of my Scotland team-mates who have played against them and they told me how well Swansea keep the ball.

"They play football in the right way and have been a breath of fresh air since coming into the Premier League. It’s going to be a real challenge for us on Saturday.

"I’m sure this is the sort of fixture Swansea and their fans have been dreaming about for years. Welsh fans are always passionate and I’m sure the stadium will be packed out so it should be a fantastic atmosphere."

Saturday’s game also provides Fletcher with an opportunity to meet up with his former United colleague Alan Tate, whose Old Trafford career ended seven years ago with a switch to Swansea, then in League Two, following two successful loan spells.

"It’ll be nice to see my old friend Alan Tate who I played with in the youth team," Fletcher recalled. "He was a couple of years older than me and always looked after me and made sure I was okay when I first came to Manchester.

"I’ll always remember him for that. He’s recovering from a bad injury at the moment and the sooner he gets back in the team the better it’ll be for Swansea because he’s a top player."

source : Manutd