New era starts with a defeat. Manchester United 1 - 2 Swansea

Louis Van Gaal started his Old Trafford reign with an unwanted record, United losing the first home match of the season for the first time in 42 years. If ever he needed an indication that this squad needs addition, the 90 minutes at Old Trafford provided that. He had his share of injury problems which forced him to give debut to Jesse Lingard and Tyler Blackett for the first game of the season. While Blackett had a reasonably good game (though he gave away the foul which led to the second goal ) at left back, Lingard had to come off midway through the first half, coming worse off a challenge.

I would like think that it was illusion, but there appeared to be lot off empty seats at Old Trafford, strange for the first game of the season. United started the game at a lively pace and bossed possession at 65-35 by the end of first half, but there was a lack of clear cut chances. Ashley Young appeared to have left his pre-season form back in the United States and Fletcher was largely ineffective in the midfield. Herrera managed to strike an understanding with Mata, who was playing behind Rooney, but Swansea kept their shape and composure. Van Gaal’s first half time talk in a competitive game had to be a morale raising one, as Kim Sung-Yeung gave Swansea lead on 28^th minute, driving to the left of De Gea after he was given too much time and space, as he could literally walk into the position.

Adnan Januzaj who came on for Lingard, and Nani, a half time substitute for Hernandez, showed much needed urgency at the start of the second half. Januzaj had some incisive runs down the right flank, and one of them, resulted in the corner which led to United’s first goal. Swansea failed to deal with the first time ball which Jones could only head back awkwardly. By the time it reached Wayne Rooney, he was past it but his overhead kick was precise and found its way to the goal. Later Rooney’s freekick, from just outside the box, struck the outside of the frame and flew wide after Fabianski had already given up. Though he scored one and almost put in another, his passing was off the mark, resulting in breaking up a lot of attacks in the final third. The wave of attacks at the Stretford End did not arrive at all after Swansea regained their lead and United had to settle for second best at the end.

There is a long way to go before we can judge Van Gaal. Today showed that he is not afraid to make changes and ready to put faith on youth, something United are known for. But there is no doubt that he needs additions at CB and someone in the holding midfield role too. It may turn out to be a blessing in disguise that United are not playing in the Champions League this season. We would have been badly exposed in Europe with this squad and that would have affected the League form and confidence as well. Now it is all the more important that United get hold of some decent players before the transfer window closes, and make strides domestically.

A word on Swansea too. Not many survive a player – manager role in League, especially when it is done midway through the season. Gary Monk had done a good job last season achieving survival, albeit with only 2 games left, and he seems to have grown in the role of a full time manager. There will surely be tougher days and tougher tests to face, but he looks like he has the belief and ability to face them. His players put in some heavy challenges today, high on intent though none of them can be termed as malicious. They seem to be responding to his instructions and absorbed his calmness and composure in their play as well.

It was the first Premier League game since its beginning when Ryan Giggs is not a player! Let that sink in and hope that he will see better days as an Assistant Manager.