Manchester United’s unbeaten start to the season will come under serious threat on Sunday afternoon when they visit Swansea City in the Premier League.
READ: Swansea vs Man United preview
The Red Devils have collected seven points from three games, although would have been disappointed only to draw 0-0 with Newcastle United last weekend.
And they have also beaten Club Brugge twice – including Wednesday’s 4-0 thumping in Belgium in which Wayne Rooney emphatically returned to form with a hat-trick.
United’s captain had previously been slammed for his goalless start to the season, but rediscovered his scoring touch to book the club a place in the group stage.
Thursday’s draw pitted Louis van Gaal’s side against PSV Eindhoven, CSKA Moscow and Wolfsburg on their return to the competition after a one-year absence.
SEE MORE:
Mesut Ozil new girlfriend: 8 red hot photos of Arsenal WAG Amine Gulse
Best footballers’ cars: Terry’s Ferrari, Balotelli’s invisible Bentley & Arsenal captain’s chrome Merc
Heung-Min Son squad number: £22m new Tottenham signing takes jersey off longest-serving player
These days a trip to the Liberty Stadium is as tough a test as any of those fixtures would be, and the Swans are themselves yet to taste defeat this campaign.
They were also in midweek action – brushing aside York City in the League Cup to build on an opening to the season which is generating excitement around Wales.
New signing Andre Ayew – a bargain free transfer – and Bafetimbi Gomis have immediately clicked in a forward partnership which has produced five goals in three games.
And Garry Monk’s side have already proven that they can mix it with the best – holding champions Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend.
Monk made 11 changes for Capital One Cup duty, but will likely revert to the side which drew 1-1 at Sunderland as he has the luxury of a fully-fit squad to chose from.
The only change that may be considered is swapping Jack Cork for Ki Sung-yueng, who scored as Swansea won at Old Trafford in Monk’s first game as permanent boss last term.
Louis van Gaal has been reluctant to rotate and will stick with the same back five – yet to concede in the league this season – as fitness issues continue to sideline Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo.
Real Madrid-linked goalkeeper David de Gea will again watch from the stands – but his long-running transfer saga will be resolved one way or the other by Tuesday’s deadline.
Van Gaal’s major selection dilemma is whether to retain Ander Herrera, whose presence in the team was of great benefit to Rooney in Belgium as he made runs beyond the striker.
The Spaniard chipped in with a goal and an assist, but Van Gaal is expected to recall £25m signing Morgan Schneiderlin to play alongside Michael Carrick in a two-man midfield.
Marouane Fellaini is available again after serving a domestic suspension and will be an option from the bench as Adnan Januzaj – United’s only league scorer this season, keeps his place.
Victory for Swansea would see them leapfrog United, for whom a win could take them to the top of the table – although leaders Manchester City play promoted Watford at home.
SEE ALSO:
League Cup third round draw: Arsenal travel to Spurs, Chelsea go north, Man United & Liverpool at home
Footballers’ dogs – celebrate #NationalDogDay with snaps of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool & Man Utd pooches
Celebrity football fans: PORNSTAR Man Utd lover, ROYAL Arsenal supporter & Chelsea-mad ACTOR in top 10
COMMENTS