Saturday, August 16, 2014 Old TraffordKick-off: 5.15 pm Sri Lankan Time.
Referee: Mike Dean. Matches (last season): 27, R5 Y101.
The Dutchman opens his domestic campaign at Old Trafford but his options in defence are stretched due to the absence of Luke Shaw, while Jonny Evans and Rafael are also doubts.
After earning widespread praise since taking charge at Old Trafford, Louis van Gaal knows he will be judged on results from the moment Manchester United begin their Premier League campaign against Swansea City on Saturday. In contrast to predecessor David Moyes, who appeared like a contest winner plucked from obscurity during his short and ill-fated spell in charge of one of the biggest clubs in the world, Van Gaal immediately oozed a sense of assurance and authority since arriving. His forthrightness has left no one second guessing and the results in preseason, all victories (if you count a shootout win over Inter Milan), have bred optimism.
Louis Van Gaal takes over the reigns at Manchester United and the club has made some moves in the off-season, but no big ones. Their offense will still be led by Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, which are the two key players that Swansea must mark in this match.
One of the bigger signings for Swansea this off-season was keeper Lukasz Fabianski, who comes over after seven years at Arsenal. He never became the true No. 1 keeper for the Gunners and he looks to anchor the Swansea defense.
Wilfried Bony scored 25 goals for Swansea last season and the squad upgraded their attack in the off-season by brining in Bafetimbi Gomis and Jefferson Montero. Their attack should be better than last season, but they need to play solid in the midfield against Man U to have any chance to score a big upset.
Manchester United's attack - Rooney, van Persie and Juan Mata - is solid and their midfield is superior to Swansea.
Twelve months after David Moyes started his Manchester United reign with a 4-1 win over Swansea, his replacement, Louis van Gaal, begins his spell in charge at Old Trafford against the same opposition.
There are defensive injury concerns and a shortage of new faces but there is also new system, 3-4-1-2, and Wayne Rooney, so disaffected in Wales a year ago, has been given the captaincy.
Swansea manager Garry Monk has strengthened well and is now confident of keeping striker Wilfried Bony.
Van Gaal will certainly have wanted to have at least a couple more signings over the line by this stage. The defense is a particular worry and Swansea’s best player last season, Wilfried Bony could take advantage. But Darren Fletcher has looked good in preseason alongside Herrera in midfield and, with Wayne Rooney also in good form, United should have enough to get an opening win.
