Date: Sunday, 5 January; Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester; Kickoff: 16:30 GMT Manchester United take on Swansea in the FA Cup third round knowing they have never lost a home meeting with the South Wales side. A 4-1 away victory for the Red Devils at the Liberty Stadium on the opening day of the Premier League season ensured David Moyes won his first competitive game in charge. Both he and Michael Laudrup have depleted squads for this encounter as United and the Swans are missing players from their attacks. The Red Devils saw a run of six straight wins in all competitions stopped by Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day. Home form is a concern for Moyes as his team have only record victory in two of the last five at Old Trafford. Swansea meanwhile are on seven-match winless streak and picked up just a single Premier League point during the festive period. Laudrup will be hoping to emulate the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United and Everton by stunning United on their own turf. If this cup tie is drawn then the Red Devils and Swans could face three meetings in the space of ten days. Moyes and Laudrup will do battle in the Premier League next weekend come what may.
Team News
United are without forwards Wayne Rooney (groin), Robin van Persie (thigh) and Ashley Young (shoulder) for the visit of Swansea. Phil Jones is also still out with a knee problem and so is Marouane Fellaini following surgery on his wrist. Swans stalwart Leon Britton is a doubt through illness. Laudrup has four first-team regulars definitely out. Number one Michel Vorm is still recovering from knee surgery whilst Michu remains sidelined. Pablo Hernandez (hamstring) and Nathan Dyer (ankle) are also on the treatment table. Source: BBC
Likely Line-Ups
Man United: 13 Anders Lindegaard, 2 Rafael/12 Chris Smalling, 5 Rio Ferdinand, 6 Jonny Evans, 3 Patrice Evra/28 Alex Buttner, 25 Antonio Valencia, 24 Darren Fletcher, 11 Ryan Giggs, 44 Adnan Januzaj, 26 Shinji Kagawa, 19 Danny Welbeck 4-4-1-1 Swansea: 25 Gerhard Tremmel, 19 Dwight Tiendalli/22 Angel Rangel, 4 Chico Flores, 6 Ashley Williams, 3 Neil Taylor/33 Ben Davies, 7 Leon Britton/21 Jose Canas, 20 Jonathan de Guzman, 24 Alejandro Pozuelo, 8 Jonjo Shelvey, 15 Wayne Routledge, 10 Wilfried Bony 4-2-3-1
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
