Chairman's column: Manchester United

For each home game, we bring you Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins' programme notes ahead of the forthcoming game.

A warm welcome once again to the Liberty Stadium for today’s Premier League game against Manchester United – a fantastic fixture to open the new 2017-18 season at home.

With the recent signings of Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic, Manchester United are stronger than ever this season.

And once everyone gets used to the way Jose Mourinho wants to play, I’m sure the red half of Manchester is going to have a very successful season in all competitions.

Last week’s opponents, Southampton, have always been a difficult team for us to play against.

They play a similar brand of football to ourselves and move the ball well around the field.

I thought the changes Paul Clement made on the day helped the team to secure our first point of the season and we finished the game in a much stronger way then we started, which will only serve us well during the long season ahead.

A warm welcome to all directors, staff, players and supporters who have travelled to Swansea to support Manchester United for this early Saturday kick-off. I hope, as always, you enjoy your visit to South West Wales.

Today’s game will be watched by millions around the world as the Premier League continues to grow and appeal to even more people every year.

The challenge for teams like us to compete in the Premier League will get harder and harder each season.

Looking ahead, we have until August 31 to finalise our squad and make sure we not only have enough strength in depth but a solid belief right throughout our football club to compete in every game we play this season.

The Premier League is tough and we must make sure we are 100 per cent ready to face every challenge that comes our way.

Finally, we all heard the sad news this week of the passing of Gwilym Joseph MBE.

Gwilym had been part of Swansea City for around 50 years in different capacities and during my chairmanship represented the club as a director, with his main role being to oversee our many building projects.

His experience and building knowledge was second to none and he will be sadly missed. The boardroom on match days will never be the same again.

On a personal level, Gwilym gave me 100 per cent support and backed me in every way possible. I shall never forget that.

Today is our second game of the new Premier League season and our first at home against a rejuvenated Manchester United.

Please give Paul and the players your full backing in the months ahead.

Enjoy the game

Huw