Luck finally ran out on MUFC, after 1 defeat in 19 games.
BBC report here. Here's another one from Guardian, calling out Louis van Gaal for his "lame" excuses.
MU created 18 shots, but only had 3 on target, whilst Swansea only had 10 shots, with half of them on target. MU also had 65% of possession but still lost 2-1.
Swansea's winning goal was deflected past De Gea, although it seemed he could have gotten a hand on the shot. But calling him out on that would be harsh on our Player of the Season so far.
Swansea's first goal was down to a great cross, but Shaw's tracking should have been better. It's hard to imagine Evra (in his prime) letting something similar past him.
As for their 2nd goal, the real problem came from a hospital pass into the middle to Fellaini, who turned into 3 defenders and was dispossessed easily, creating the mismatch in midfield before Shelvey got free to shoot. Both Blind and Rojo could have done better to be closer to Shelvey, but losing the ball in the center circle (and from a forward pass from the defenders) was unforgivable.
Fellaini did well to hold up play, and give the defenders and midfielders an option to pass to, but he should NOT be getting the ball in the center circle from the defenders. His touch is not good enough, and Blind/Carrick need to be the pivot guys. This is precisely why Carrick's contract will be happily extended by MU, and why Blind is currently MU's best outfield player.
Having said that, this was van Gaal's most attacking line up in a while, and it seems he's coming round to the idea of playing the 4-4-2 diamond more often. I like this formation, and on another day, the Swans might have been killed off way before Shelvey had the chance to shoot.
MU had a good 15-20 mins of attack v defense but couldn't create anything of note. Di Maria was again poor, and Robin van Persie looked unfit (and his injury was aggravated as a result). I thought Valencia should have started instead of McNair, and that would have saved a spot for either Falcao or Wilson to come on for RvP late in the game.
Herrera's goal was a beauty, and Shaw needs to make these sort of forward runs more often. I'm sick of watch him face down a defender, attempt a couple of stepovers, only to pass it backwards to Di Maria or Rooney. Same goes for Valencia. It's inconceivable that players of United's caliber cannot generate enough forward runs from their wingbacks to trouble defences like Swansea's.
Next up is Sunderland at Old Trafford. That is now a must win. MU are still in fourth spot, but only 3 points separate MU from Spurs in 8th.
After the Sunderland game, will be a run of 4 games in March to make or break United's season, IMHO -
EPL Newcastle (A) - 4 March
FACup Arsenal (H) - 9 March
EPL Spurs (H) - 15 March
EPL Liverpool (A) - 22 March
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