Manchester United aim to sink Swansea to keep title bid alive
By Julian Shea.
Kick off Sunday 6 May 2012 at 16:00, Old Trafford.
Question: What could possibly be worse for Mancester United than losing 6-1 at home to Manchester City? Answer: Losing 1-0 to them away.Rarely can a defeat have hurt manager Sir Alex Ferguson more, but there is no use moping over it. United were beaten fair and square by City on Monday, and they must face up to their worst case scenario; City have the upper hand in the race for the Premier League title, and if Sir Alex thought they were 'noisy neighbours' before, then he may have to brace himself for the volume getting much louder in a week's time.
The slack marking which let in Vincent Kompany to score City's winner on Monday night showed how much Jonny Evans was missed at the heart of United's defence, and he will be missing again for the visit of Swansea.
Striker Danny Welbeck is another absentee, after leaving the Etihad Stadium with his ankle in a cast, following a challenge which saw the United boss square up to City counterpart Roberto Mancini on the touchline.
When the Premier League fixture list came out last summer, fans of newcomers Swansea will probably have looked at their last two fixtures - United away and Liverpool at home - with a sense of trepidation, wondering how significant those games could turn out to be.
But after such a thrilling season, performing way beyond expectation, they will feel they have deserved their two-part end of season treat, and the first portion comes with the trip to Old Trafford.
Angel Rangel hopes to be fit to play a part, having recovered from a hamstring injury picked up in bizarre circumstances as he tripped down stairs whilst carrying his baby son.
If Rangel is not fit to play, former United trainee Alan Tate could fill in on the right, but he is by no means certain to play, having just had a calf strain himself.
Should neither be fit, Steven Caulker could be played out of position on the right or youngsters Jazz Richards or Curtis Obeng may get a chance.
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