United dumped out of the FA Cup by Swansea
Winning Goal
By Chris
January 5 2014
Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup with a bitterly disappointing 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Swansea City in Sunday teatime's kick-off.
David Moyes' men lost at Old Trafford for the fifth time this season as goals from Wayne Routledge and Wilfried Bony sent the Jacks into the last 32 of the competition.
United, who ended the game with 10-men, have started 2014 with back-to-back home defeats and have crashed out of the Cup at the third round stage for only the second time since 1982.
Moyes' decision to field a weakened United line-up was foolish, particularly given the importance an FA Cup run could have held for the Scotsman following a shaky league campaign thus far.
The visitors broke the deadlock after 12 minutes. Swansea tore United apart with a quick passing move, with Alejandro Pozuelo's through ball finding Routledge who raced towards goal and dispatched a chipped finish over the on-rushing Anders Lindegaard.
United's supporters responded with a rallying call - and the Red Devils hit back within minutes. Alex Buttner's curling cross from the left flank was met by Javier Hernandez, who ended a goal drought dating back to October with a poacher's finish.
Having levelled so quickly, fans may have expected the home side to go on and win the game comfortably - but many visiting teams seem to be playing with renewed confidence at the Theartre of Dreams this season, and the Swans continued to trouble United.
On 80 minutes, the Red Devils were reduced to ten men as substitute Fabio - who had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes - was dismissed for a nasty challenge on Jose Canas.
The numerical advantage gave the Swans added momentum in the closing stages, and they booked their place in the fourth round as Dutch forward Bony nodded home, handing the South West Wales outfit their first ever win at Old Trafford.
As Mike Dean's full-time whistle blew, United left the field to jeers. This was a fourth defeat from six home matches - and, after the mid-week League Cup clash at Sunderland - Swansea return next weekend.
Full Time - Manchester United 1-2 Swansea City
Attendance - 73,190