Less than a week since they met in the FA Cup in a match where Swansea earned their first win at Old Trafford in their history, United met the Welsh side again at home, this time in a league encounter where three points were essential for the Champions.
Moyes opted to start Adnan Januzaj in the number 10 role with Wayne Rooney still out through injury. It didn't take long for the 18 year old to begin to create chances for the home side, who could have done with the youngster's flair and enthusiasm in this cup tie last Sunday. In the opening 10 minutes Januzaj whipped in a dangerous free kick from the right that eventually fell to Vidic in the box, although he spurned the chance as he put it well over the bar. Unlike last week's game, United looked the team on top and moments later some good link-up play from Welbeck and Kagawa set up Valencia, whose fierce shot forced a decent save from Tremmel.
Just inside fifteen minutes Januzaj then went close himself as his dipping free kick clipped the crossbar and rebounded, although Swansea's defence somehow managed to clear. Swansea almost caught United on the break just after with a lovely one-two from Canas and Pozuelo, Shelvey then sent Routledge into the box with a brilliant pass but Routledge's resulting cross couldn't find a white shirt in the box and the chance was gone.
United then went close again with a well-worked move between Carrick, Evra, Valencia and Fletcher but the latter's shot at goal didn't stay down and soared over the bar to ensure the scores remained level. The home side's best opportunity then came, and went, as this time Welbeck ruined the chance to put United ahead. It was a fantastic, quick move from them as Januzaj's clever touch to Valencia allowed the Ecuadorian to play Rafael into the box, his cross then found Welbeck in front of goal and in space but his first-time take sent the ball just wide of the left post.
United continued to create chances right from the start of the second half and it didn't take long before they finally put the ball in the net. United's star performer Januzaj was the creator, as he teased Rangel before curling a cross in towards the far post. Williams got a head on it for Swansea but it then reached Kagawa, who headed it goalwards. Tremmel saved but the rebound fell to Valencia who made no mistake and lashed it home from three yards.
It wasn't long before United made it two just before the hour mark with Januzaj involved again as he won the ball from Tremmel's long throw out. Kagawa then gave it back to Januzaj, whose cross was poorly defended and allowed Evra to hit it towards goal. Welbeck got a touch to put it past Tremmel and put United 2-0 up and on course for their first win of 2014.
United continued to threaten the Swansea goal and should have been 3-0 up had Smalling not put the ball over the bar from a few yards out. It should have been game over but the defender just couldn't convert the chance from Kagawa's cross in. Swansea struggled to create anything of note in the second half, although Amat should have done better with a header at goal twenty minutes from time.
United ended the game with another brilliant attack on goal as Januzaj set Rafael away on the counter attack. Rafael carried the ball and then squared it to Kagawa who sidestepped a challenge and only had the keeper to beat but his poor chip was too slow and allowed a Swansea defender to get back and clear it before it crossed the line. It should have been a third for Moyes' men but as the whistle went he will be relieved to have finally secured a win, and at home. It was a good performance from United with Januzaj shining in the absence of Rooney and Van Persie. They will need to be in even better form though, if they are to cause an upset at Stamford Bridge next weekend where they play a Chelsea side in form.
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