Manchester United's search for a win will continue this weekend when they welcome Swansea City to Old Trafford in the Premier League.
The Red Devils are currently on an eight-game winless run in all competitions, their worst run of form since 1990. Swansea will have little sympathy for Louis van Gaal's side, however, as they battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
Man United
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So much for Van Gaal leaving Man United if they failed to record a win over the Christmas period. It had been claimed that the Dutchman would be relieved of his duties if the Red Devils lost at Stoke City on Boxing Day, but the experienced manager remained at the helm despite a 2-0 defeat.
Van Gaal appeared to be on the brink ahead of the clash with Chelsea last time out, but his players produced a timely response. The hosts could not record all three points in Manchester, but a much-improved performance brought a goalless draw. Not quite what the supporters would have had in mind as the winless run continued, but the display was much more like it from a team that currently sit sixth in the table, now five points off the top four.
Man United actually went top of the Premier League last month when they won at Watford, but a poor run of form since then has seen them slide down the table. They are now nine points off the league leaders Arsenal and face a real battle to secure another top-four finish. Exits from both the Champions League and League Cup have further increased the pressure on Van Gaal, who might well see the FA Cup as his team's only realistic chance of silverware this season.
In all honesty, anything other than three points against Swansea would place more pressure on Van Gaal and he might not be able to survive this time around. Man United have won three of their last four Premier League home games against Swansea, although they did lose the corresponding match 2-1 last season.
In fact, Man United have lost each of their last three league games against the Swans, including a 2-1 reverse earlier this season. The Welsh outfit have only won one of their last 10 away games in the Premier League, however, and have struggled to find their best form on their travels this term.
As mentioned, The 20-time English champions are currently on their worst run of form since January 1990. They have not gone nine games without a win since November 1988, but their performance against Chelsea last time out would have at least given the supporters confidence ahead of a clash with the struggling Swans.
Recent form: DDLLLD
Recent form (all competitions): DLLLLD
Swansea
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Man United might be in a bit of a crisis at the moment, but Swansea will be forgiven for not having too much sympathy. Some tipped the team for a top-seven finish this season, but as it stands, they are 17th in the table, just two points outside of the drop zone with half of the 2015-16 campaign remaining.
Garry Monk was so impressive at the helm last season, but the former centre-back was relieved of his duties during a period where the club were sliding down the table. The Swans are currently without a new manager, but Alan Curtis seems to have steadied the ship somewhat after taking control on an interim basis. Indeed, Swansea are now unbeaten in their last three in the league - drawing with both West Ham United and Crystal Palace, in addition to recording a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.
Only one team (Aston Villa) has scored fewer league goals than Swansea this season, while Bafetimbi Gomis has lost form after a strong start to the season. Gomis caused Man United's back four all sorts of problems in their meeting earlier this season, however, and the Frenchman has netted the winning goal in each of his last two league appearances against Man United.
Curtis urged his team earlier this week to "be bold" when they visit Old Trafford, which is no longer the fortress it once was, despite the fact that Man United have actually only lost one Premier League game on home soil this season. Whether Swansea remain in the league this season, however, will more than likely depend on their results against the teams around them.
Sunderland will be Swansea's next opponents after this one and that meeting on January 13 could have a big say in the battle at the bottom of the table. Investment is expected to occur in the upcoming January transfer window, but Swansea are no longer the attractive proposition that they were at this stage of last season.
Recent form: LLLDWD
Team News
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Van Gaal could name an unchanged XI from the Chelsea clash, with Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Jesse Lingard still on the sidelines.
Memphis Depay has struggled for form this season and is expected to once again start on the bench, with Ander Herrera operating in the hold behind Wayne Rooney, leaving Anthony Martial and Juan Mata in the wide positions.
As for Swansea, Curtis revealed in his pre-match press conference that Wayne Routledge should be fit to return to the squad after missing the clash with Palace, while centre-back Federico Fernandez could also return to the XI after recovering from a bruised heel.
Ki Sung-yueng, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Ayew could also return to the team, meanwhile, after starting the Palace clash on the bench.
Man United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Young, Blind, Smalling, Darmian; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Herrera, Martial; Rooney
Swansea possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Shelvey, Ki, Sigurdsson; Ayew, Gomis, Barrow
Head To Head
As mentioned, Man United have won three of the last four Premier League games between the two teams at Old Trafford, but Swansea have won on four of their last visits to the English giants in all competitions, all by a 2-1 scoreline.
Indeed, Swansea spoiled Van Gaal's first league game in charge of Man United on the opening day of the 2014-15 season.
The Swans are currently on a three-game winning run against the Red Devils, with Man United's last success coming in January 2014. Earlier this season, Swansea came from behind to record all the points in their league clash at the Liberty Stadium.
We say: Man United 2-0 Swansea
Surely this will be the game where Man United's long winless run ends. They were much, much better against Chelsea on Monday and if the team can produce that level of performance, it should be enough to record all the points.
An early goal would settle the crowd and we are backing the hosts to claim all the points with a fairly routine 2-0 win.
Matt Law
