Premier League: Manchester United v Swansea match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Old Trafford

David Moyes and Phillip Neville bark instructions from the sideline (Getty Images)

Manchester United head into Saturday's evening fixture desperately needing a win to claw their way back into the race for the top-four.

Despite a prosperous Christmas period which saw them win four league games in a row at the end of December, they have now succumbed to three consecutive defeats for the first time in nearly 13 years.

One of these defeats was of course to Swansea, who knocked United out of the FA Cup this past Sunday in their first ever win at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils currently lie in seventh, five points adrift of the Champions League positions, and will take on the Swans without talisman Wayne Rooney, who has been sent off for warm weather recuperation.

Swansea will of course be looking to carry on the momentum from their FA Cup win and pick up at least a point from Old Trafford, in a bid to be certain of their Premier League survival.

With the added pressure of the Europa League, The Swans have taken their foot off the gas in the Premier League and only sit four points clear of the relegation zone. They and West Ham are the only two teams in the division to go without a win in at least six games.

Michael Laudrup will be hoping that Wilfried Bony can continue to fire on all cylinders in the absence of the injured Michu. The Ivory Coast striker netted the injury-time winner at Old Trafford and scored two stunning goals against Manchester City in Swansea’s last league outing.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 5.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Manchester United  1 (Hernandez) Swansea 2 (Routledge, Bony), FA Cup, January 2014

Swansea 1 (Bony) Manchester United 4 (Van Persie 2, Welbeck 2), Premier League, August 2013

Manchester United 2 (Hernandez, Ferdinand) Swansea 1 (Michu), Premier League, May 2013

STATS:

If United are defeated, it will be the first time they have lost four games in a row since 1961.

Prior to Swansea’s FA Cup win, they hadn’t beaten United since 1982.

Swansea have the second best away defence in the Premier League, only conceding 1.1 goal per-game on average.

ODDS:

Manchester United to win: 1.5

Swansea to win: 7.00

Draw: 4.00

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 5.30pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm