Manchester United disposed of an unsettled Swansea team in their second league game of the season. Having just seen their best player leave for Everton, the mood around the Liberty Stadium was tense. A lot of the pundits have named Swansea as expected relegation candidates come the end of the season. While they did start brightly, they failed to keep up the intensity; and Eric Bailly’s goal just on the stroke of half time seemed to have squeezed the morale from their squad.
Let’s look at a few talking points from the game.
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Rashford’s potential is scary
Marcus Rashford was on the receiving end of boos from the unforgiving Swansea fans who made their feeling known following his dive in the reverse fixture last season. Despite it, Rashford put in a very mature performance. His dribbling down the left gave Fernandez a lot of trouble. Yes, he did miss a clear-cut chance on goal and he does have the ability to frustrate; but this is coming from a 19-year-old. If at 19, he can have so much of an impact on the game; imagine how much damage he can cause 5 years down the line!
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Romelu Lukaku at his clinical best
Romelu Lukaku scored yet again, taking his tally to 3 goals in 2 games. While Ibrahimovic had a similar start to his United career; he was guilty of missing chances frequently. Romelu had just 25 touches on the night, and one chance on goal; which he took. Manchester United lacked this ruthlessness and clinical nature in front of goal, and Romelu is certainly providing them that.
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More the merrier
Manchester United of last year would head into the final 10 minutes of the game thinking, a 1-0 win would be sufficient. The introduction of Fellaini would be moaned by the United faithful as an attempt to hold onto the lead. Could the same be said this season? Absolutely not. Manchester United are fast establishing themselves as a team that are devastating on the counter; just as how Sir Alex would have wanted them to be. Being 1-0 down, Swansea committed men forward and were duly punished by the pace United have on the counter.
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Swansea need to sign attacking players
Swansea had periods in the game where they looked like they could pose some serious threat. But they couldn’t hold onto the ball for as much as they would have hoped for. They played with Tammy Abraham and Jordan Ayew up front, who clearly didn’t have enough service provided to them by the midfielders; who for most of the game were busy in keeping up with United’s dominant midfield. With 10 days of the transfer window left, Swansea need to dig deep and sign a few attacking players to help their cause. They received £45 million in the sale of Gylfi Sigurdsson and that money should be utilized to get in some players. That will show real intent by the club, and will lay down a marker to the players that they need to perform if they need to be starting games regularly.
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Mourinho is spoilt for choice up front
Jose Mourinho decided to stick with the same formation that he used against West Ham. The front three saw Rashford, Lukaku and Mkhitaryan continue in attack and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Martial came on with 20 minutes to spare and helped himself to a goal. What this does mean, is that Manchester United are now loaded up front. Rashford was menacing, Lukaku was clinical, Mkhitaryan was at his creative best; Martial also seemed to be back to his old tricks. With Lingard as another potential option on the bench, we may be looking at a group of players that have finally realized their full potential under Jose Mourinho. While Martial was mute in his celebrations at Old Trafford; his celebration yesterday was more along the celebratory lines. Everyone seems to be pushing each other for performing better.
These are certainly exciting times if you’re a Manchester United fan. Performances like that leaves you wanting for more, and if that was a sign of things to come, be very excited. Maybe we’re seeing a sleeping giant rise again.
