Swans victory relieves pressure

LOUIS van Gaal believes the pressure is easing on Manchester United after their first win in nine matches.

Wayne Rooney secured a welcome 2–1 victory over Swansea with a clever backheel in the 77th minute.

The United boss said his players had been left “angry” by their failure to win their previous eight matches – the club’s worst run in 26 years.

It would be wrong to suggest everything is rosy at Old Trafford: United were woefully dull for most of the first half against Swansea. The hosts didn’t register a shot on target until the 33rd minute and only two more weak efforts followed before the break. United have now failed to score in the first half of their last nine home matches.

In a worrying statement for Van Gaal’s doubters, the Dutchman insisted his team played better in the first half than the second, when they found the net twice.

The game also helped ease the pressure on Rooney. The 30–year–old’s deft flick past Lukasz Fabianski meant he ended his two and a half month goal drought and moved him past Denis Law into second in the club’s scoring charts.

“He has played two fantastic games in a row,” said Van Gaal of Rooney, who was dropped for the Boxing Day defeat at Stoke.

“He does everything we expect from him as a captain, but also as a player and in what position he plays.”