Manchester United has missed the chance to move into third position in the Premier League table after being held to a 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Swansea City at Old Trafford on Sunday.
A controversial Wayne Rooney penalty sent the home side ahead in first-half stoppage time, but Gylfi Sigurdsson equalised with a free kick 11 minutes from time as Man United missed the chance to move above Manchester City and Liverpool entering the business end of the 2016-17 campaign.
Man United’s injury curse struck again in the ninth minute at Old Trafford, with Shaw limping off the field, leading to Antonio Valencia being introduced on what was supposed to be a day off for the Ecuador international.
Mourinho’s side had a massive chance of their own in the 17th minute when Anthony Martial picked out the run of Lingard with a brilliant pass from a deep position, but the England international could not find a route past Lukasz Fabianski.
Rooney was next to come close for Man United in the 23rd minute after meeting a cross from Young, but the Red Devils captain headed over the crossbar as an entertaining contest remained goalless.
Man United did make the breakthrough in the final stages of the first period, however, with Rooney netting just his fourth Premier League goal of the season from the penalty spot after Fabianski had been penalised for bringing Rashford to the ground inside the Swansea box, although the contact on the England international was minimal.
Rooney had a wonderful chance to score a second for Man United early in the second period, but the England captain, after meeting a low cross from Ander Herrera, struck a powerful effort into the back of his own teammate Martial.
Man United picked up another defensive injury in the 60th minute as Bailly pulled up following a challenge with Llorente, and Matteo Darmian had to be introduced to the centre-back position as Mourinho’s injury problems continued.
Swansea had a penalty shout of their own in the 73rd minute when Martin Olsson went down inside the Man United box under a challenge from Young, but the free kick was awarded to the home side following the collision.
Fabianski kept out a rasping Valencia strike in the 75th minute, before Sigurdsson fired over the Man United crossbar down the other end as both teams had chances to add to the scoring at Old Trafford.
Swansea were level in the 79th minute, however, when Sigurdsson picked out the top corner with a brilliant free kick after a clumsy challenge from Rooney had handed Clement’s side a set piece in a dangerous position.
Llorente had a wonderful opportunity to send Swansea ahead in the second minute of additional time at the end of the 90, but the Spaniard could not make contact on a brilliant Sigurdsson set piece as the points were shared at Old Trafford.
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