Written by @Chadley_N for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Manchester United vs Swansea | Saturday 16 August | Old Trafford | 13:45
Manchester United start a new era under the guidance of Louis van Gaal by hosting Swansea City in the opening fixture of the 2014/2015 English Premier League. The Red Devils have beaten the Swans in their last three league meetings. However, Swansea did manage to put one over the far from mighty Mancunians in last season’s FA Cup tie at Old Trafford. The United faithful will be hoping to erase all memories of last year’s diabolical campaign and that van Gaal can return the Red Devils to the echelons of footballing supremacy.
To Win (90mins)
Manchester United 3/10
Draw 4/1
Swansea 15/2
Manchester United
Manchester United’s season begins at home to Swansea City – a reverse of the fixture that saw David Moyes start his doomed reign with a 4-1 win last year. United fans will be adamant that by the time they face Hull City at the KC Stadium on the last day of the season, there will be more to play for than a seventh place finish – as they did last term. Van Gaal will look to replicate the team spirit that took the Netherlands to third place at the World Cup. The Dutchman is tipped by many to bring back success to the club after United suffered their worst season in recent memory. This season’s main objective for Van Gaal will be to steer the Red Devils to UEFA Champions League qualification. Van Gaal’s view on tactics is a breath of fresh air for the United fans. His enthusiasm for attacking football is a stark contrast to the defensive minded approach United displayed last season. The new Manchester United man also favours high pressing, which is similar to the defensive style Sir Alex Ferguson instilled in the club. One can expect that they will return to their famous high intensity football.
United fans have every right to be excited for the upcoming season after the club spent millions on Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw. In Herrera they have acquired a player whose tough tackling and determination will awaken memories of the great Roy Keane, complemented by the creativity and vision that has become part and parcel of Spanish football’s identity. Shaw will start at left-back following the departure of Patrice Evra to Juventus. The English defender is very focused on attack and his marauding runs down the left flank for Southampton over the last two Premier League seasons have more than caught the eye. United are built on a tradition of playing attacking football that leaves you on the edge of your seat and Shaw has the skill-set to meet that philosophy perfectly. Van Gaal has ruled out Robin van Persie for this match in order to improve his fitness, even though his partnership with Wayne Rooney is seen as key to regaining a Champions League spot. Rooney will lead the attack for the Red Devils and will be raring to go.
Swansea
Gary Monk goes into his first full season as a Premier League manager with a mouth-watering trip to Old Trafford. Monk, who led the Swans to safety at the end of last season, was appointed to the Liberty Stadium hot seat on a three-year deal in May. He’d previously been given the manager’s job on an interim basis after the sacking of Michael Laudrup. Monk will be hoping to make an impact this season and guide his side to a Europa League spot. Monk and owner Huw Jenkins have been uncharacteristically busy in the transfer market this summer and have accrued five new players already, signing strikers Bafetimbi Gomis, Marvin Emnes, young left-back Stephen Kingsley, attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson and former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to strengthen their squad for the new season. Gomis will be the man to watch and could cause problems for United’s shallow defence. The Frenchman is perfectly suited to life in the Premier League. He will relish the physical battles and it will take full concentration from the United defence to keep him at bay. Wilfried Bony, who was the club’s leading goalscorer last season with sixteen goals, will be hoping for another successful campaign this term. He will use his combination of power and pace to run the channels and help Swansea break forward at the perfect moments.
VERDICT: Manchester United 3/10
Swansea struggled on the road last season, losing ten matches and winning five times in nineteen games. The United players will be looking to impress Louis van Gaal as he takes charge of his first competitive game. The Red Devil’s should put David Moyes’ horrendous season behind them under the Dutchman and are tipped to get maximum points at Old Trafford.
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