Swansea City faces Manchester United on Saturday in the opening batch of Premier League games. The match starts at 12:30 p.m. ET. Watch the live stream HERE.
Reigning champions Manchester United begin its Premier League season on Saturday against Swansea City. It's an historic occasion for United — Saturday is the first game in 1,046 games that the club will play without Sir Alex Ferguson, NBC Sports reports. David Moyes helms the club for his first regular season match, and after a rocky preseason, hopes to walk away with a win.
Coming off its 20th title win, United knows the expectations are high for the club.
"Going into the season as champions brings that expectation," United defender Chris Smalling told NBC Sports. "We know that when we step out onto the pitch we're seen as the best but we know we need to show that we are, and we're all determined to do that.
"We've got some big fixtures at the start of the season but if we can put on some really good performances then it's going to give us a big boost if we can pick up a few points and possibly set us apart from our rivals."
After playing 65 minutes on Wednesday without injury for England, Wayne Rooney is a game-time decision.
Swansea, meanwhile, is trying for its first win over United in the Premier League. Swansea finished in ninth-place last season. The new signing of Wilfried Bony, now paired with Michu, gives the club hope for a stronger attack.
"It's never the right moment to play Man United because there is always quality," Swansea manager Michael Laudrup told NBC Sports. "I could sit here and say it's the best moment you can play Man United or top team like that and we lose 3-0 on Saturday. But [having] said that we know we have to play them, so I think in the beginning is not a bad moment."
Jonathan de Guzma is out with a concussion.
Projected Lineups (via Telegraph.co.uk):
Swansea (4-4-1-1): Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Amat, B Davies; Routledge, Britton, Shelvey, Hernandez; Michu; Bony.
Manchester United (4-4-1-1): De Gea; Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Anderson, Cleverley; Welbeck; Van Persie.
