Swansea vs Manchester United preview - Vorm welcome from Swans

Posted Sunday, December 23, 2012 by PA

Michel Vorm is set to return from a groin injury when Swansea welcome Premier League leaders Manchester United to the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.

The Dutchman has been out for eight weeks but is set to replace Gerhard Tremmel between the sticks, while Pablo Hernandez returns to the squad after a thigh injury.

Angel Rangel is likely to miss out again with the calf problem that kept him out of the defeat at Tottenham, with Dwight Tiendalli set to continue at right-back.

Sunday's clash kicks off the festive period for Swansea, who have suffered back-to-back defeats to Norwich and Tottenham.

Fixtures against Reading, Fulham and Aston Villa follow rapidly and boss Michael Laudrup admits he would accept a defeat against Sir Alex Ferguson's men, if his side were to pick up a healthy haul of points elsewhere over the next 10 days.

He said: "It's as important to get points off Reading as it is against Manchester United.

"We would like to win but it would bring so much focus on us and what we need over the next 10 days is to be able to focus on these four games.

"If I knew we would get six or seven points in the other three games I would have no problem losing on Sunday. The problem is I don't know so we have to take one game at a time.

"The first game is against United, it's a big game because we are talking about the number one club over the last 20 years.

"They have a legendary manager and great players but it is still only one game so it is nothing special."

United full-back Rafael has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Shinji Kagawa (knee) and Nani (hamstring) are both still sidelined, but Jonny Evans is available after his hamstring problem.

United did the double over Swansea last term but boss Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledges the south Wales outfit may be a tougher proposition this time around as Laudrup seems to have brought even more improvement from one of the most watchable teams in the top flight.

"Swansea have made a lot of progress over the last few years," he said.

"They have the courage to play their football, which is good.

"At this time of year all these games are challenges because they come thick and fast and utilising the squad will be important.

"Hopefully we can get through it and be in the same position as we are now."