Man Utd V Swansea at Old Trafford : Match Preview

04 January 2014 13:31
Man Utd V Swansea - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Young to sit out cup clash

Ashley Young will miss Manchester United's FA Cup third round tie with Swansea on Sunday.


Young suffered a shoulder injury attempting to avoid Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris' wild lunge at Old Trafford on New Year's Day and faces an extended spell on the sidelines.


Robin van Persie, who has missed six games with a thigh complaint, and Phil Jones, currently absent with a knee injury, are also unlikely to face Swansea along with long-term absentee Marouane Fellaini.


And with Michael Carrick only just back after an Achilles injury and neither Rio Ferdinand nor Nemanja Vidic seemingly capable of playing an extended run of games, the Red Devils could easily find themselves short of bodies as the battle for honours intensifies.


Having to follow the tie with a visit to Sunderland for the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final just 48 hours later hardly helps the situation.


However, manager David Moyes will not be playing a weakened team at the weekend given United's status as record 10-times winners of the competition, even if the last of those triumphs came a decade ago when new Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was still a player.


"If you are a club like Manchester United, you want to be involved in all the trophy-winning competitions," said Moyes.


"For this club not to have won the FA Cup for 10 years is a bit of surprise.


"It's something we will try to do and we will do everything we possibly can to try to get through on Sunday."


Swansea winger Pablo Hernandez has joined the club's injury list.


Hernandez limped out of the defeat to Manchester City with a hamstring injury and is set to miss the trip to Old Trafford, joining Michu, Michel Vorm and Nathan Dyer on the sidelines.


Roland Lamah or Alejandro Pozuelo will start in Hernandez's place, while Leon Britton is also doubtful after illness.


Midfielder Jonathan de Guzman feels United have dropped a level this season, but still expects a stern examination.


"They're not at the same level as they were last season, not that lethal, but I think they've been doing pretty well in the last couple of weeks," said De Guzman.


"They've been scoring goals and getting points home and away.


"You can't underestimate Manchester United, they have a very good squad, but I think we did well against them last season away, we were just unlucky in the end.


"We're going there to get a result. We take hope from the fact they have lost some games at home this season and it's the FA Cup - it will be an open game."


Source: PA