Swansea City 2 Manchester United 1 analysis: Andre Ayew the star man as United as Sergio Romero is exposed

ANALYSIS: Goal and assist for the Ghana international

Sunday 30 August 2015 13:36 EDT
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Andre Ayew heads in Swansea's equaliser
Andre Ayew heads in Swansea's equaliser (GETTY IMAGES)

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STAR PLAYER

Andre Ayew: Enjoyed a wonderful battle with the impressive Luke Shaw and two moments of class saw him shade it. Showed his football intelligence to find space in the middle and claim his third Premier League goal with a firm downward header before setting up Bafetimbi Gomis' winner. Delicious ball into Gomis' stride ensured the Frenchman did not have to break stride before shooting.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Sweeping Swansea move for Gomis' winner. Jonjo Shelvey underlined his England credentials with a delightful ball into Gylfi Sigurdsson, who laid it off to Ayew. The Ghanaian spotted the run of Gomis, who had lost Chris Smalling, and although the finish lacked power it was still enough to embarrass United goalkeeper Sergio Romero at his near post.

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

Swansea manager Garry Monk would have been disappointed to lose in-form winger Jefferson Montero to a training-ground thigh injury the day before the game but there is plenty of depth to his squad these days. Ki Sung-yueng underlined that when he came off the bench to play an integral role. Louis van Gaal had seen United keep three clean sheets in the Premier League but doubts over his side's defensive capabilities surfaced as his central defenders went AWOL and his goalkeeper had the wobbles.

Bafetimbi Gomis celebrates his winning goal

MOAN OF THE MATCH

How galling must it be for United fans to see David de Gea banished to the sidelines as Sergio Romero dons the goalkeeping gloves? De Gea might be heading for the Old Trafford exit door with Real Madrid waiting in the wings, but it is far from clear whether Romero is the long-term answer. Kept three clean sheets with barely anything to do in his opening Premier League matches but exposed here and might well have stopped both Swansea goals.

WHO'S UP NEXT

Manchester United v Liverpool (Premier League, Saturday, September 12)

Watford v Swansea (Premier League, Saturday, September 12)

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