United host Swans looking to avoid fourth straight defeat
MUFC v. Swans
By Chris
January 11 2014
Manchester United will look to avoid losing a fourth match in a row in the same season for the first time since 1961 when Swansea City make a quick return to Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
Michael Laudrup's Jacks return to the Theatre of Dreams just six days after claiming their first ever win at the stadium, dumping United out of the FA Cup following Wilfried Bony's late winner.
David Moyes' men followed up that result with a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland, ensuring 2014 has begun with three straight defeats.
After crashing out of the FA Cup and suffering a semi-final, first-leg defeat at the Stadium of Light, attentions now return to the Premier League as the Red Devils look to get a stuttering top-flight campaign back on track.
United remain without a host of names for the game, with Robin van Persie still unavailable, whilst doubts have been cast over whether Wayne Rooney will be fit enough in time for the contest.
At the back, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones may both miss out for the Champions, whilst Nani and Marouane Fellaini are absentees in midfield.
Unwanted records have crept up too often for Moyes this season, and another defeat against the Swans would see the club lose four in a row in the same season for the first time since 1961, when Matt Busby's men lost to Birmingham, Arsenal, Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday.
The Red Devils, however, did lose four competitive games on the spin between May and August 2001, ending the 2000/2001 campaign as Champions but losing their final three matches, before kicking off the new season by losing the Charity Shield in Cardiff to Liverpool.
Saturday's clash is a 5.30pm kick-off and is broadcast live on Sky Sports.