Manchester United vs Swansea City. Premier League.
Old TraffordAttendance75,038.
Friday 30 March 2018 15:01, UK
Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Ander Herrera are available for Man Utd, who welcome Swansea in the Premier League on Saturday, after injury.
Rojo played the full 90 minutes of Argentina's 6-1 thrashing by Spain in midweek, which was his first appearance since the start of February, while Herrera and Jones have recovered from hamstring injuries.
Swansea remain in the mix for relegation - although are currently three points clear of 18th spot - but Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has seen a big improvement under his fellow countryman Carlos Carvalhal.
"Since Carlos arrived it's obvious the team has improved a lot, they have got points that many wouldn't expect them to have got," Mourinho said.
"So, we will face a team that are very well organised, especially from a defensive point of view. Swansea are dangerous on the counter-attack.
"They are powerful from set-pieces, using the aerial ability of their three centre-backs. And from a mental point of view, you can feel the fantastic work by Carlos, the team looks happy and confident."
Carvalhal has lost only two of his 10 league games since his December appointment and travel north with optimism having won twice and drawn once on their last five visits to Old Trafford.
"We know they are very powerful at home and win maybe 95 per cent of the games, especially Mourinho teams," the Swansea manager said. "For this game 99.99 per cent of people will see them as favourites.
"But the 0.01 per cent - me and my team - think we can achieve points. If we don't believe, why would people believe in us? This is a big challenge, but let's fight and find the correct answers."
Ashley Young is a doubt to face Swansea after suffering a knee complaint towards the end of England's 1-1 draw with Italy, while Mourinho says back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero is out for a "few weeks" after being involved in a collision on Argentina duty.
Daley Blind is back in training after injury but not available to feature. Mourinho suggested Scott McTominay is available and Zlatan Ibrahimovic has joined the LA Galaxy since United were last in action.
Swansea have no fresh injury worries. Andy King and Andre Ayew are both expected to return to the starting line-up after being ineligible for the FA Cup defeat to Tottenham two weeks ago.
Jordan Ayew serves the second game of a three-match ban, while Renato Sanches (hamstring) and Angel Rangel (groin) remain out.
Manchester United have already beaten Swansea twice this season without conceding a goal - they won 4-0 at Liberty Stadium in the Premier League in August and 2-0 in a League Cup tie in October.
The Swans have avoided defeat in three of their last five visits to Old Trafford (W2 D1 L2) in all competitions, having lost eight of their first 10 games there against United.
Manchester United have won all three of their home Premier League games kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday this season, scoring seven goals and conceding none.
After winning their opening away league game under Carlos Carvalhal, Swansea have since failed to win any of their next four on the road (D3 L1). That sole away win was in Carvalhal's only previous encounter with a fellow Portuguese manager in the competition (2-1 at Marco Silva's Watford).
Jose Mourinho has never lost against Swansea in all competitions (P9 W7 D2 L0), defeating all four of the previous managers he's faced (Laudrup, Monk, Bradley and Clement).
Romelu Lukaku - currently on 99 Premier League goals - has been directly involved in 14 goals in 14 games in all competitions so far in 2018 (10 goals, 4 assists).
Paul Pogba has scored in both of his Premier League appearances against Swansea, while also providing one assist against them.
Man Utd just don't blow teams away. You look at the game and Swansea will sit 11 behind the ball and make it difficult, but Man Utd just don't have the guile to break teams down. I've watched them play enough times this season and I don't see them winning 5-0 or 6-0.
For me, Paul Pogba has to play where he plays for his country which is further forward because he's not a holding midfield player. I don't think he's disciplined enough for that job and he wants to get on the ball and make things happen, but I think there is a bit of a risk there now. I'd be shocked if he played, if I'm honest.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (4/1 with Sky Bet)
