A brace by both Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck ensured Manchester United's winning start to the season and hushed David Moyes' numerous critics in spectacular fashion. Van Persie opened the scoring before Welbeck doubled United's lead with a simple tap in. After the break the Dutchman doubled his tally with an emphatic strike and Welbeck finished the rout with a deft chip. Swansea debutant Wilfried Bony scored the consolation goal for the home team. Swansea started the tie brightly, maintaining possession with ease and putting the visiting fans at unease but it was United who attempted to draw first blood. A viciously struck volley by Phil Jones, from a Ryan Giggs free kick, forced goalkeeper Michel Vorm into a leaping save to put the ball over the bar. Giggs was also denied a clear goalscoring opportunity when Welbeck decided to take on the Swansea 'keeper on his own but the Welshman couldn't capitalise on the rebound. Michu, leading the line in place of record signing Bony, forced a great save from David de Gea after firing off a shot in tight space and later had a goal ruled out for offside. It was on the 33rd minute that United's double salvo of goals began. A lofted ball by Giggs found van Persie in enough space to avert the best efforts of both Chico Flores and Ashley Williams to fire an acrobatic volley into the back of the net. Just two minutes later United's second came via Danny Welbeck. Van Persie was once again involved, knocking the ball down for Antonio Valencia to square across the Swansea goal line for the awaiting Welbeck. Swansea once again started brightly in the second half with Michu striking a fierce shot at de Gea but the United 'keeper did enough to parry the ball away. Patrice Evra almost made it three for the visitors after meeting a header from a well worked corner, but new Swansea signing Jose Canas was there on the line to head the ball away. However, United did not have to wait long after Evra's chance for their third. With both Chico and Williams failing to close down van Persie effectively, the frontman fired an unstoppable strike straight into the top left corner of Vorm's goal to put the game to bed. Swansea's consolation came through Wilfried Bony, who was introduced at the break. A well worked move lead to Pablo Hernandez slipping the ball to Bony to cooly slot home. During stoppage time United maintained their three goal advantage over the Swans when Welbeck was put through on goal to chip the ball over the approaching Michel Vorm with aplomb. With the critics silenced, Moyes will no doubt take the momentum gained from this convincing victory into United's first home game of the season when they host Chelsea next Monday. Swansea however will want to put this result behind them and focus on their upcoming Europa League game on Thursday before making the trip to London to face Spurs on Sunday.
