Swansea v Man Utd Tip

Sir Alex Ferguson continues to crack the whip in an effort to get his defence up to the high standards he insists upon. He wasn’t happy that Sunderland were given a sniff of hope last weekend and he was dismayed by the three goals United conceded at Reading at the start of December.

The good news for the knight of the realm is that the Red Devils are going from strength to strength at the other end of the pitch with Van Persie and Rooney now looking in perfect sync. They have won five Premier League games in a row and sit six points clear at the top of the table heading into the busy festive period.

You get the distinct feeling that Ferguson is absolutely determined not to give neighbours City a whiff of encouragement after what happened last season. Expect therefore another United away win against a Swansea City side who have just stuttered ever so slightly by losing their last two.

Laudrup’s boys will always be a tough nut to crack at the Liberty Stadium but 14 home goals conceded is the worst record of the teams outside the relegation zone. Given that United have scored 21 on their travels, comfortably the best in the division, the writing appears to be on the wall.

The visitors won this fixture by a one-goal margin last year and at best odds of 3/1 (Ladbrokes) I think that may be repeated on Sunday.