Goal Analysis: Manchester United make easy work of Swansea City

We will take a look at all the goals scored at the Liberty Stadium with a detailed insight.

Swansea City started off brightly but the power and class of reigning champions Manchester United was too much to overcome. They failed to make their possession translate into any goals, while on the other hand, Manchester United packed with individual brilliance of Robin Van Persie, Welbeck, and co. took each and every chance that came their way.

1st Goal : Robin Van Persie (34 minutes, assisted by Ryan Giggs)

This was a goal of pure quality on both sides, from the passer, and from the scorer. Although, defensively Swansea City played into the hands of United for this goal as Angel Rangel was caught sleeping on duty of holding up a defensive line, the movement of RvP and the pass from Giggs were exquisite.

Take a look at the positioning of Robin Van Persie and how Welbeck assists him with being there in the area and creating a nuisance about himself to the defenders.

It is further clarified in this frame:

Angel Rangel in this frame shows the importance of holding up a defensive line-up. The Defensive line although is not straight but at least is almost in a sequence while Angel Rangel is not marking RvP, nor is he pushing up to join his fellow defenders to form a defensive line up.

That gives RvP the opportunity he needs to get in behind the defense and the veteran Giggs sees this immediately. The outcome was inevitable after that and RvP scored an acrobatic goal to give United the lead which was pretty much against the run of play as Swansea were putting decent pressure on the Red Devils.

The accuracy of pass was such that it took away all of the three defenders near RvP and also did not give Vorm a chance to think about coming out to collect it. Chico Flores missed with his while RvP jumped to kick the ball from near the other defender's head. A classy finish from a class striker! United lead 1-0.

Here is a GIF for you to enjoy as well:

2nd goal: Danny Welbeck (36 minutes, assisted by Antonio Valencia)

A hopeful cross in towards Robin Van Persie ended up becoming a tap-in for Danny Welbeck thanks to some sleepy defense from Swansea City. While in the previous goal no one was with RvP, this time every one decided to get attached to him and leave the other attackers with enough room to create havoc. 

The black lines all converge towards Robin , leaving Welbeck and Valencia completely free, Wayne Routledge is sleeping in this frame not knowing that he has to do some defensive work as well. 

While all defenders go to close down the ball coming to RvP, the ball bounces and reaches Valencia and then Routledge realizes that he has some defense to do, but by then its already too late. Valencia calmly collects the ball and has enough time to square it through to Welbeck to tap it in stylishly.

The accuracy of the pass is such that it bisects both defenders perfectly and Welbeck beautifully turns it in to an empty net. 2 minutes and 2 goals for United, Swansea showing signs that there is still time for them to gel completely as a defensive unit.

3rd Goal: Robin Van Persie (72 minutes, assisted by Wayne Rooney)

This was pure class from the Premiership's best Center Forward. A mazy, weavy, and breathtaking run ended with an even awesome strike to give United an unassailable lead. Pure Class, Pure Technique from Robin!

This is where it all started when RvP came one on one with Ashley Williams, for a defender in the EPL thats the worst you can possibly think of, RvP galloped forward, his concentration and confidence unparalleled, as he dribbles past the defense to strike it in the top corner. Although, the on-rushing Chico Flores did help him a little bit.

Instead of tackling Van Persie, he brushed aside his own teammate Williams which gave RvP the space to shoot. Chico, you are supposed to stop United players not your own.
Here is GIF for you to enjoy this thunderbolt

4th Goal: Wilfiried Bony (82 minutes, assisted by Pablo Hernandez)

Danny Welbeck should realize the difference between dribbling in your own half with three players around you is very different from doing the same thing in a similar scenario in the opposition half. His over-cleverness presented the ball back to Swansea who already had 5 players up there,Dyer got up, gave it to Pablo who passed it to an unmarked Bony who struck hit first time, hard and low in to the bottom corner. Swansea had one back!

5th Goal: Danny Welbeck (90 minutes, assisted by Wayne Rooney)

This shows how important Wayne Rooney is to the United cause. His ability to pop up in places behind the striker and then the ability to pick up a pass to split open defenses is second to none in the EPL. He did exactly the same thing by receiving the ball half-way in the opposition half and then played a beautiful pass which matched the run of Danny Welbeck who cheekily lifted it over Vorm to score United's fourth and the game's fifth. Delightful once again from the passer and the scorer!

Defensively though, Swansea's problems were exposed by now, they just could not get their lines correct and the communication channel was almost completely switched off. The black line indicates the distance and non-cohesion between the defenders which left open spaces for Uniteds' intelligent players to move in to. Welbeck is surely very smart and Rooney is the best to pick out a run, no wonder Mourinho is going half crazy to get him. For United to make sure they win the title this season, they have to keep Rooney in a red shirt. That is an absolute must!