Manchester United vs Swansea City. Premier League.
Old TraffordAttendance75,415.
Saturday 2 January 2016 13:57, UK
Manchester United will be looking for their first win in nine in all competitions when they take on Swansea at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The pressure on Louis van Gaal's shoulders is palpable after the worst run of form in 16 years for the 20-time top flight champions.
Another defeat could be the final straw for the United hierarchy, and the Swans have won on two of their last three visits to Old Trafford.
Goals have been in short supply for United, with only two in their last four games, but with skipper Wayne Rooney showing the merest sign of improvement, things may improve on that front.
Swans have also struggled for victories of late, with just one win in nine, earning three points just once on the road all season.
Team news
Jesse Lingard is a doubt for United's clash against Swansea because of the hamstring injury that has kept him out for the last three weeks.
Long-term absentees Antonio Valencia (foot), Luke Shaw (leg) and Marcos Rojo (shoulder) remain sidelined.
Van Gaal is likely to stick with Rooney in attack after he impressed on his return to the starting XI against Chelsea on Monday.
Argentina defender Federico Fernandez is battling a bruised heel. Fernandez missed Monday's goalless draw at Crystal Palace as caretaker manager Alan Curtis rotated heavily by making eight changes from the side which had beaten West Brom two days earlier.
Angel Rangel, Leon Britton, Ki Sung-yueng, Wayne Routledge, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Ayew are all set to return at Old Trafford.
Opta stats
Bafetimbi Gomis has scored the winning goal in each of Swansea's last two Premier League games against Manchester United.
United have found the back of the net in all 12 of their home league encounters with the Swansea (25 in total), winning nine (D2 L1).
Swansea have won four of the last five meetings with United in all competitions, all by a 2-1 scoreline, including two of their last three visits to Old Trafford.
Swansea have won just one of their last 10 Premier League away games, losing six.
United have now gone eight games without victory in all competitions, their worst run since January 1990 (also eight games).
Five of Manchester United's last eight games at Old Trafford in all competitions have ended goalless.
Paul Merson's prediction
I thought Manchester United did alright against Chelsea, much better. They were playing against a team who did not have a centre forward, but I thought they played with a better tempo, it was more like the United we know.
I look at it now and I expect them to win this game 2-0. I could see a little turn in performance from the weeks before the Chelsea game, and I think Morgan Schneiderlin in the team is a no-brainer.
For Swansea, I wonder when the managerial situation will be resolved. Surely they had a manager lined up after they sacked Garry Monk? It can't help the situation. They have to be careful, because if they lose this game, they're still near the mud.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Sky Bet make Manchester United 4/7 favourites ahead of the visit of Swansea (11/2) with the draw available at 11/4.
The improved performance against Chelsea saw United's odds shorten slightly to 11/8 to secure a top-four finish this season. Swansea have won two of their last three meetings with the Red Devils 2-1 and can be backed at 20/1 to secure another win by the same margin.
United to win by exactly one goal is priced at 5/2. Sky Sports tipster Matt Le Tissier is backing United to win 2-0 with Anthony Martial scoring the opener at odds of 17/1.
