Swansea City 2-1 Manchester United: What did we learn about the Reds?

5 things we learned as Manchester United slump to defeat at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea City 2-1 Manchester United: What did we learn about the Reds?
troy-ramanathan
By Troy Ramanathan

As Manchester United fell to a defeat for the third consecutive time against Swansea, meaning United take 7 points from four games, Louis van Gaal's men are left wondering what went wrong. 

Juan Mata gave United the lead early on in the second half, and United were looking confident. That all changed when Andre Ayew scored a neat header just past the hour mark. Five minutes later Batefembi Gomis ran through the United defence, and slotted it past Sergio Romero, leaving United with nothing to go back to Old Trafford with.

Another striker is needed 

That Juan Mata goal was only the second scored by a United player in the Premier League this season. Yet again, United lacked pace and excitement up front, with Wayne Rooney's goal drought in the league continuing. There has been plenty of speculation of The Red Devils bringing in Thomas Muller, but that is looking less likely as the window comes to end. Only time will tell.

Chris Smalling is a different player

Smalling made a very strong end to the 2014/15 season, and has continued that thus far this season. Smalling was at the heart of the United defence at the Liberty, and dealt with nearly everything that came at him. As usual, the England international gave his all.

Romero shouldn't be No.1

Despite keeping three clean sheets in his first three Premier League games; that has to be put down to the solid United defence. Romero struggled to deal with everything that came at him, and should have done much better with Swansea's second.

Rooney doesn't look sharp this season

Wayne Rooney put in another dire performance, and created only one good chance, of which he fumbled. The hat trick at Club Brugge was expected to be a turning point, but seems to have not given Rooney a boost, and the forward is still yet to find the net in the Premier League.

Van Gaal's Plan B is not good enough

The Plan B was fully in play once United went a goal down, with Van Gaal bringing on Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini. The 'hoof' to Fellaini was all United were trying for the last 15 minutes, and it didn't forge a single real chance. A club of Manchester United's structure have to be producing something better.