Wayne Rooney’s back-heel flick sank Swansea City 2-1 in the 77th minute at Old Trafford. Rooney ended Manchester United's winless streak that stretched since November 21st, and ensured Swansea's struggles continued into 2016.
Heartbreak at the end
Swansea had just levelled the match at 1-1 and it seemed that the Welsh club were going to leave Manchester with at least a point. However, seven minutes after the equaliser, Anthony Martial broke through the Jacks' defence with a daring run into the left hand side of the penalty box.
The young Frenchmen then delivered a pass into the centre of the box. Rooney was completing his run into that area. However, Martial's pass had seemed to just miss Rooney, but the Red Devils captain kept his composure and managed to make contact with the ball to give United the eventual 2-1 victory.
The 75,415 fans at Old Trafford exploded at Rooney’s goal and it was the best way to start the year for the Red Devils. However, the start of the game was abysmal for both of the clubs, particularly for Swansea.
Sorry start to the game
In the opening minutes of the game the two clubs were both attempting to not make any errors and concede an early goal. The first 20 minutes only produced three shots from United, and none of them were on target. As for Swansea, they were just trying to slow down the Red Devils and get settled into the tussle.
The Welsh club were not able to find their stride until the 29th minute. Swansea midfielder Wayne Routledge was able to take advantage of some confusion in the box and attempted a half volley shot. However, David De Gea was there to stop it. The 30-year-old midfielder's shot was the first one on target of the game for both clubs.
United also find it hard going
After that shot the Swans attack slowed down as they only created two more opportunities in the half. The reason for that was because United were on the front foot as they had nine shots in the first 45 minutes. However, only three of them were on target.
The Red Devils most dangerous opportunity in the first half came right before break. Rooney was able to make contact with Ashley Young’s cross with his head. He placed his effort on target, but failed to put power on the ball as Lukasz Fabianski made an easy save.
Breakthrough for Martial
In the second half Man United’s effort doubled and, as a result, the tempo of the game increased. In fact the Red Devils went ahead with just two minutes gone into the second half.
Bastian Schweinsteiger made a slide tackle to recover the ball on the right hand side of the field. Young pounced on the loose ball and did not waste any time, as he delivered a cross into the heart of the box. Rooney and Martial were both inside the centre of the box when the cross came in, with the latter taking full advantage.
The ball flew past Rooney’s head; he attracted the attention of one defender with his run. Martial then soared into the air and headed the ball into the back of the net to give United the 1-0 lead in the 47th minute. That was the 20-year-old French striker's eighth overall goal for the Red Devils since arriving to the Premier League early in September.
United on top, Curtis' craft changes the game
After taking the lead the hosts’ confidence grew as they started to create more chances. Their dominance lasted for a good period of time, as the Red Devils managed to produce 11 chances from crosses and shots. However, due to their poor finishing nothing came from that and Swansea were still alive.
Jacks interim manager Alan Curtis decided to bring forward Modou Barrow for midfielder Leon Britton in the 60th minute. Immediately the striker's pace made an impact in the game.
Barrow's brilliance, Swansea level
Ten minutes after Barrow entered the match he displayed excellent technical foot work while being guarded closely on the right hand side of the box. The striker managed to keep the ball and make a slight turn to set up a potential cross.
He delivered a curling cross into centre of the box. His pass was heading towards midfielder Gyilfi Sigurdsson and the Iceland international was able to make contact with the cross, as he headed the ball over the out stretched hand of De Gea to tie the game 1-1.
United hold on for the win
Old Trafford fell silent as their Red Devils had once again blown a lead and were on their way to extending their winless streak to nine games. Until the captain Rooney stepped up and secured the victory for Manchester.
However, Swansea nearly tied the game in the 94th minute. Goalkeeper Fabianski soared in the air to meet a corner with his head. The Polish international 'keeper had a clean touch on the ball, but his header just went wide of the right hand post to end the game 2-1.
Swansea are going have to rebound quickly since 18th place Newcastle United and 19th Sunderland are closing the gap between them. The Welsh club are stuck on 19 points and only have two points separating them from the Magpies (17 points). Plus with the Black Cats beating Aston Villa 3-1 on Saturday, Sunderland closed the gap between them and the Swans to just four points.
The Jacks' next match is against the Black Cats at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday. A victory may propel Swansea into 15th place and begin to put some distance between them and the relegation zone; a defeat will potentially drop them back into the danger-zone.