06/05/2012 15:00 v Man Utd

30th May
First team

Two first-half goals were enough for Manchester United to condemn the Swans to a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

It was a comfortable victory for Alex Ferguson’s title-chasing side, but the visitors could take plenty of positives from the way they kept their opponents at bay for most of the contest.

United were looking to close the gap on leaders Manchester City, who they trailed by 10 goals in the race for the title, and it took a magnificent double-save from Michel Vorm to deny Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney early on.

However, their superiority eventually told in the 28th minute when Antonio Valencia’s cutback found Michael Carrick, whose goalbound effort was turned past Vorm by Paul Scholes.

The lead was doubled just before half-time when Ashley Young pounced on Scott Sinclair’s mistake by curling into the far corner.

United went in search of more goals with Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney going close to increasing the lead, but Brendan Rodgers’ side stayed firm to prevent the deficit from being greater.

They also had chances at the other end through Danny Graham and Nathan Dyer while Gylfi Sigurdsson drew two fine saves out of David de Gea, who ensured the Swans left Old Trafford empty-handed.

MANCHESTER UNITED: David de Gea, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand (Rafael da Silva, 88), Patrice Evra, Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes (Tom Cleverley, 68), Ashley Young, Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney (Dimitar Berbatov, 78).

SUBS NOT USED: Ben Amos, Ryan Giggs, Park Ji-Sung, Nani.

SWANS: Michel Vorm, Angel Rangel, Steven Caulker (Alan Tate, 90), Ashley Williams, Neil Taylor, Joe Allen, Mark Gower (Leon Britton, 46), Gylfi Sigurdsson, Nathan Dyer (Luke Moore, 71), Danny Graham, Scott Sinclair.

SUBS NOT USED: Gerhard Tremmel, Garry Monk, Josh McEachran, Wayne Routledge.