Manchester United: Why David Moyes Will Have to Approach Swansea with Caution

The most striking thing about Manchester United's first competitive game under their new manager was the fluidity.

At Everton, David Moyes wasn't known as one of the Premier League's most adventurous managers. He often played with a lone striker with an extra midfielder in the hole behind. He found a formula that worked and he stuck to it.

But if United fans feared they'd be watching a rigid, stiff team this season, they were pleasantly surprised at Wembley on Sunday. 

Robin van Persie started up front but every so often would pop up on the left. Ryan Giggs started on the left but switched regularly with Danny Welbeck to play down the middle.

Wilfried Zaha tormented Wigan first on the right and then on the left. Whether it was because it was Wigan or because of Wembley's spacious pitch, United looked like a team without shackles. 

On Sunday, against a Championship side, it worked. But Moyes may feel he has to be more cautious when he takes his team to Swansea for their Premier League opener on Saturday.

The Liberty Stadium is a difficult place to go. Since Swansea were promoted in 2011, United have won one and drawn one. 

And it will be a tougher task this season because while United are still warming up, Swansea played their first competitive game on August 1.

A 4-0 aggregate win over Malmo in their Europa League qualifier took Swansea one step closer to the group stages. But it also means Michael Laudrup's team should be fitter and stronger on Saturday. 

The early start and the extra games might catch up with them eventually, but not in the middle of August.

It could lead Moyes to employ a more cautious approach in Wales. Zaha has been impressive during his first preseason as a United player and the Community Shield was no different.

But a tough, tactical away game might not be the best venue for his Premier League debut, especially when Antonio Valencia, disciplined and protective over his full-back, is waiting in the wings. Phil Jones, used at centre-half and right-back at Wembley, is another option in midfield, as is Shinji Kagawa, who started on the bench at Wembley.

With Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City to play in the first five games, Moyes will be conscious of getting off to a good start against Swansea. 

But it might take a more patient approach than the one that worked so well against Wigan.

THE most striking thing about Manchester United's first competitive game under their new manager was the fluidity.

 

At Everton, David Moyes wasn't known as one of the Premier League's most adventurous managers. He often played with a lone striker with an extra midfielder in the hole behind. He found a formula that worked and he stuck to it.

 

But if United fans feared they'd be watching a rigid, stiff team this season they will have been pleasantly surprised at Wembley on Sunday. 

 

Robin van Persie started up front but every so often would appear on the left. Ryan Giggs started on the left, but switched regularly with Danny Welbeck to play down the middle.

 

Wilfried Zaha tormented Wigan first on the right, and then on the left. Whether it was because it was Wigan or because of Wembley's spacious pitch, United looked like a team without shackles. 

 

On Sunday, against a Championship side, it worked. But Moyes may feel he has to be more cautious when he takes his team to Swansea for the Premier League opener on Saturday.

 

The Liberty Stadium is a difficult place to go. Since Swansea were promoted in 2011, United have won one and drawn one. 

 

And it will be a tougher task this season because while United are still warming up, Swansea played their first competitive game on August 1.

 

A 4-0 aggregate win over Malmo in their Europa League qualifier took Swansea one step closer to the group stages. But it also means Michael Laudrup's team should be fitter and stronger on Saturday. 

 

The early start and the extra games might catch up with them eventually, but not in the middle of August.

 

It could lead Moyes into a more cautious approach in Wales. Zaha has been impressive during his first pre-season as a United player and the Community Shield was no different.

 

But a tough, tactical, away game might not be the best venue for his Premier League debut, especially when Antonio Valencia, disciplined and protective over his full-back, is waiting in the wings. Phil Jones, used at centre-half and right-back at Wembley, is another option in midfield as is Shinji Kagawa, who started on the bench at Wembley.

 

With Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City to play in the first five games, Moyes will be conscious of getting off to a good start against Swansea. 

 

But it might take a different approach than the one that worked so well against Wigan.

 

END