Louis van Gaal's Manchester United
reign got off to a false start on
Saturday as Swansea City won 2-1 in
the season's opening Premier League
game at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal was taking charge of his first competitive
game as United manager, but his new side exhibited
many of the same failings from last season – when
they finished seventh – as they slumped to a surprise
defeat.
South Korea midfielder Ki Sung-yueng exploited
inattentive marking to give Swansea a 28th-minute
lead with a left-foot shot from the edge of the box.
United's new captain Wayne Rooney equalised early
in the second period, but Gylfi Sigurdsson
condemned the hosts to a first opening-day home
defeat since 1972 with a close-range finish in the
72nd minute.
It gave Swansea back-to-back wins at Old Trafford,
following their shock FA Cup success in January, and
was a reversal of United's 4-1 win at the Liberty
Stadium on the first day of last season.
"It is very disappointing that we have lost our first
home match," said Van Gaal, who took over at United
after leading his native Holland to the World Cup
semifinals.
"We were very nervous in the first half, made the
wrong choices, and that is a pity. In the second half,
we never played as a team. Therefore, I'm
responsible."
Injuries obliged Van Gaal to give competitive debuts
to Tyler Blackett, 20, and 21-year-old Jesse Lingard,
who took their places in the 3-4-1-2 formation that
had served United well in their unbeaten pre-season
campaign.
Lingard's day was to last only 24 minutes, however,
as he was forced off after appearing to jar his knee
in a challenge with visiting captain Ashley Williams.
United bossed possession in the first half, but
Swansea struck from their first sight of goal, with Ki
stroking home a lay-off from Sigurdsson.
Swansea's fans burst into a chorus of 'You're getting
sacked in the morning!' aimed at Van Gaal, who sat
impassively in his seat in the dug-out.
The Dutchman introduced Nani in place of striker
Javier Hernandez at halftime, with the hosts
switching to a 4-2-3-1 system, and United responded
immediately.
Juan Mata's right-wing corner was flicked on by Phil
Jones and Rooney hooked home a spectacular close-
range volley at the back post.
Rooney came close to putting United ahead with a
free-kick that hit the outside of the post in the 66th
minute.
But it was Swansea who claimed the winning goal
when Icelandic midfielder Sigurdsson – back at the
club after two years at Tottenham Hotspur –slammed
home from Wayne Routledge's mishit volley.
Later on Saturday, last season's FA Cup winners
Arsenal will begin their campaign at home to Crystal
Palace.
With manager Tony Pulis having left Palace on Friday
after a reported disagreement with co-chairman
Steve Parish, assistant coach Keith Millen will be in
temporary charge for the trip to the Emirates
Stadium.
Elsewhere, Championship winners Leicester City will
play their first top-flight game since 2004 when they
host Everton, while fellow promoted side Queens
Park Rangers welcome Hull City to Loftus Road.
In the day's other games, Alan Irvine begins his
career as West Bromwich Albion manager at home to
Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur visit London rivals
West Ham United, and Stoke City host Aston Villa.
Champions City travel to Newcastle United on
Sunday, with Liverpool, the side they pipped to last
season's title, hosting Southampton. Chelsea, third
last season, visit promoted Burnley on Monday.
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