NBC on Yahoo SportsManchester United 2-1 Swansea City: Rooney’s stunner wins it
Manchester United beat Swansea City 2-1 on Saturday at Old Trafford as Louis Van Gaal‘s men recorded their first win in nine games.
Anthony Martial and Gylfi Sigurdsson traded headers before Wayne Rooney delivered a moment of magic to win the game and ease the pressure on the Red Devils.
With the win — their first since Nov. 21 — United move up to fifth on 33 points and Swansea remain managerless and just two points out of the drop zone.
[ RELATED: Watch full match replays ]
Ander Herrera burst into the box inside the first 30 second but his shot was blocked as United came flying out of the traps.
[ RELATED: Latest Premier League standings ]
United had another chance as a cross from the right found Rooney at the back post but the skipper sent his show into the side-netting.
Before half time Swansea began to build momentum and Wayne Routledge‘s snapshot forced David De Gea into a smart save, then Juan Mata twice forced Lukasz Fabianski into a low save.
[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]
At the start of the second half United again started brightly with Rooney having a shot deflected just over by Ashley Williams.
Moments later United were ahead as a cross from Ashley Young found Martial and the French youngster headed home as the ball skipped off the surface and into the net. 1-0 to United as a collective sigh of relief rang out around Old Trafford.
Sigurdsson had a shot deflected towards goal which looked to be looping over De Gea but the Spaniard claimed well as Swansea
[ MORE: Full lineups, stats, box score ]
Swansea then went close to equalizing as Ayew’s header struck the post and despite Angel Rangel going down in the box with the follow-up, the Spanish full back was booked for diving.
The Swans did grab their equalizer with 20 minutes to go as Modou Barrow clipped in an inviting cross and Sigurdsson sent a deft header into the far corner. 1-1 and the moans and groans grew louder from the home fans at Old Trafford.
However, they were celebrating 10 minutes from time as Martial’s cross found Rooney and he delivered a moment of sheer magic with a clever back heel to get the Red Devils back to winning ways as Williams’ late drive was saved by De Gea.
