Football News

United draw may be enough to keep Swans afloat

United draw may be enough to keep Swans afloat


United draw may be enough to keep Swans afloat

Sigurdsson's free kick earned Swansea a draw at Old Trafford

Sunday's early kick off saw Manchester United host Swansea City at Old Trafford, with both teams needing three points to attain very different goals. The Red Devils were looking for three points to improve their chances of Champions League football, whereas Swansea were desperate for a win to just stay in the Premier League. 

Despite their busy schedule and growing injury list, Jose Mourinho was still able to field a side that many other managers would be envious of. Captain Wayne Rooney returned to the side, with the pace of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford also available in attack. 

Manchester United were not at their best in the first half, whilst the visitors Swansea played well, threatening to open the scoring on several occasions. It was however the home side that opened the scoring in injury time of the first half. Marcus Rashford appeared to go down easily under pressure from Lukasz Fabianski, but the referee still awarded the penalty. Wayne Rooney converted cooly to give his team a 1-0 lead at the break. 

United were better in the second half, but were unable to increase their lead, leaving the victory vulnerable. With ten minutes left to play, Swansea got themselves level through key man Gylfi Sigurdsson. One of his trademark free kicks nestled in the back of the net, damaging the Manchester club's challenge for a top four finish. 

It could have got even better for Swansea, when another Sigurdsson free kick found Fernando Llorente six yards out, but he was unable to finish it off, giving a final score at Old Trafford of 1-1. 

Manchester United are still in the race for a top four finish in the Premier League, but a win would have moved them there today, overtaking rivals Liverpool. Swansea could have done with a win today, but a very creditable point still gives them hope of survival, moving them to within two points of safety, behind Hull City, with three games to play.