Expectations surrounding United had risen following an unbeaten pre-season under their new Dutch coach, who arrived after leading the Netherlands to third place at the World Cup.
Van Gaal selected a 3-5-2 formation for his first competitive match, handing United debuts to Ander Herrera, Jesse Lingard and Tyler Blackett. The afternoon soon became far more difficult than anticipated.
Ki Sung-yueng gave Swansea the lead after 28 minutes, guiding Gylfi Sigurdsson’s pass into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.
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United responded after the break through newly appointed captain Wayne Rooney. The striker produced an acrobatic finish from close range to draw the hosts level in the 53rd minute.
Old Trafford expected the equaliser to inspire a comeback. Swansea had other ideas.
Wayne Routledge redirected Jefferson Montero’s cross towards Sigurdsson, whose finish crossed the line despite David de Gea’s attempt to keep it out. The 72nd-minute goal secured a historic 2-1 victory for Garry Monk’s side.
It was Swansea’s first league win at Old Trafford and United’s first opening-day home defeat since 1972.
The result exposed the scale of the rebuild facing Van Gaal. United had finished seventh under David Moyes the previous season, and the arrival of another decorated manager offered no immediate cure.
Reinforcements followed before the transfer window closed, with Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind joining the club.
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United gradually improved and finished fourth, securing a place in the Champions League. Swansea, however, remained a problem. Monk’s team won the reverse fixture by the same scoreline to complete their first league double over United.
Van Gaal eventually delivered the FA Cup in 2016, but his first afternoon at Old Trafford remains one of the Premier League’s great opening-day surprises.
Photo: Action Images via Reuters / Carl Recine
