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Match Analysis: Manchester United 2-0 Swansea City

Sports Mole casts its analytical eye over Manchester United's 2-0 home win against Swansea City in the Premier League.

Manchester United ended a run of three consecutive defeats on Saturday night as they earned a 2-0 win at home to Swansea City in the Premier League.

The hosts made the breakthrough at the start of the second half when Antonio Valencia was on hand to tap the ball home from close range.

They then doubled their advantage on the hour mark thanks to a clever finish from Danny Welbeck.

Sports Mole takes a closer look at the action between the two teams at Old Trafford.

Match statistics

Man Utd
Shots: 16
On target: 5
Possession: 39%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 9

Swansea
Shots: 13
On target: 2
Possession: 61%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 10

Was the result fair?

Despite Swansea having the majority of possession, it was United who created the better chances and showed more attacking intent. The hosts looked nervous during the first half, but they were more confident after the break and were rewarded with the points.

Man Utd's performance

David Moyes's side were unusually timid in the opening 45 minutes as they allowed Swansea to dictate the tempo of the match with their slick passing. However, it was a different story after the restart as the champions showed less fear going forward. Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher did a good job of anchoring the midfield, while Adnan Januzaj, Antonio Valencia and Shinji Kagawa gave the Swansea defence a difficult time with their fluid movement. Meanwhile, Welbeck looked lively up front in the absence of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. This was far from vintage United, but they did enough to get over the line.

Swansea's performance

The Swans dominated possession at Old Trafford, but the story of their night was that they failed to make any of it count. They prodded and probed their opponents constantly, especially before the break, although some poor shooting and decision-making saw them come away with nothing. Jonjo Shelvey and Wilfried Bony in particular were guilty of wasting what opportunities they did manage to create. However, manager Michael Laudrup is likely to have few complaints about how his side played as they gave a good account of themselves at the home of the Premier League champions.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Adnan Januzaj: The youngster was yet again the star of the show for Manchester United thanks to another dynamic display in attack. The quicksilver 18-year-old always looked to do something useful with the ball and was at the heart of anything positive that the hosts did.

Biggest gaffe

The home side had the chance to make it 3-0 with around 65 minutes on the clock, but Chris Smalling somehow volleyed over from four yards following Shinji Kagawa's cross. Only the defender will know how he managed to put the ball over the crossbar from that distance.

Referee performance

It was a routine night for Chris Foy as the official gave a competent display out in the middle during what was a keenly-fought encounter.

What next?

Man Utd: United return to action next Sunday when they travel to Chelsea in the Premier League.

Swansea: The Swans continue their season next Sunday as Tottenham Hotspur visit the Liberty Stadium in the Premier League.

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Luis Antonio Valencia of Manchester United scores the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Swansea City on January 11, 2014
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