Swansea vs. Manchester United: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

David Moyes saw his Manchester United campaign start in perhaps the
best possible way, as Robin van Persie terrorised Swansea to deliver
an emphaticaway win for the reigning Premier League champions.
Van Persie scored two fine individual efforts to swing the game
decisively in United's favour, with strike partner DannyWelbeck also
bagging a brace at the Liberty Stadium.
There was also a 30-minute cameo from Wayne Rooney, whose body
language perhaps left something to be desired, butnevertheless
provided a clever assist for Welbeck's second.
Swansea's own early substitute, £12 million summer signing Wilfried
Bony, grabbed the home side's consolation.
After the match, Van Persie expressed his delight at the opening
win—having been held to a 1-1 draw at the same venue last season.
"We are very happy," Van Persie told Sky Sports. "To play against
Swansea, first game of the league, away from home, it is tough.
"You could see at times that they are a great team, I love the way
they play. It's a big win."
In truth, it was not a win that had looked likely after the opening
half hour. Swansea—despite leaving Bony on the bench after being
involved at international level inmidweek—looked threatening, whereas
Moyes' United side, featuring a four-man midfield with Ryan Giggs on
the left, lacked a little invention.
Phil Jones was denied by Michel Vorm in United's best early chance,
while Wayne Routledge saw his low effort turned away by David de Gea.
But then came VanPersie's intervention: last year's league topscorer
taking on Giggs' lofted through ball before volleying past Vorm
acrobatically.
Wayne Rooney played 30 minutes.
It was an exquisite strike that stunned theSwans, and two minutes
later they were two down. It was Welbeck with the finish, as he
arrived in the right place to turn home Antonio Valencia's low cross.
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup reacted at half-time by bringing on
both Bony and Pablo Hernandez, but it was VanPersie who would get the
game's decisive third goal.
The former Arsenal man would later describe the strike as like "going
back to the streets"; using his close control (and the distracting
runs of Rooney, brought on moments earlier, and Welbeck) to shiftthe
ball onto his left on the edge of the box before rifling home.
The points seemed to be in the bag at that point, even as Bony opened
his Premier League account with 10 minutes remaining. The forward, who
showed his raw power throughout his display, showedgood poise and a
decent eye for goal to slip home after being played in by Hernandez.
The game was all but over, but the finishing was not. Rooney had
looked somewhat disinterested at points in the second half (getting
needlessly caught offside on more than one occasion) but sprung into
life in injury time, slipping through Welbeck. The England man still
hada lot to do, but calmly lobbed the onrushingVorm to cement a key
win for Moyes.
"Yeah, it's a dream start," Moyes said. "As Manchester United manager
your job is to win your games, and the playersdid that today.
"They are very well managed under Michael Laudrup but we limited their
opportunities. We scored a little bit against the runof play, but
Robin scored a great goal for us. I'm more than happy to win 4-1."
Key Player Grades
Robin van Persie: A
New season, same execution. The Dutchman was by no means perfect in
hisall-around play, but his two strikes came almost out of nothing and
secured a comprehensive win for the home side. There is no better
striker in the league than RVP, and he proved that again on the very
first day of the season.
Wayne Rooney: C
In his 30 minutes on the pitch, the unsettled striker did some good
things—linking play well, providing an assist for Welbeck—and some
bad, showing a somewhat lax attitude towards certain basic duties on
too many occasions.
But his appearance nevertheless shows a certain reintegration into
Moyes' thoughts,suggesting perhaps he might stay at Old Trafford
beyond the end of the transfer window.
Wilfried Bony looked solid.
Wilfried Bony: B+
From his performance after coming on asa half-time change, it looks
like £12m is afair deal for the powerful forward. Bony caused Nemanja
Vidic and Rio Ferdinand consistent problems with his movement and
stature, but then showed great technique with the ball on the floor to
grab Swansea's only goal.
Perhaps most encouragingly for Laudrup, he showed a good understanding
with strike partner Michu—the pair being unselfish as they looked to
feed each other. Today's result was disappointing, but the signs
remain encouraging for the Welsh club.
What's Next?
Manchester United will now turn their attentions towards next Monday's
blockbuster home game against Chelsea, afirst real measure of the
title credentials of both sides.
Swansea, meanwhile, have a day less to prepare for an away trip to
White Hart Lane, where Andre Villas-Boas' Spurs will be hoping to
inflict a second successive defeat.
All quotes transcribed from Sky Sports broadcast.

Via bleacherreport.