It may not feel like it by the way it has been built up but at 5.30pm tomorrow two teams will line up against each other at the Liberty on a level playing field
It may not feel like it by the way it has been built up but at 5.30pm tomorrow two teams will line up against each other at the Liberty on a level playing field
Ok, so they may be the most crowned Champions of England and they may be billed (self billed?) as the biggest club in the world but tomorrow they are coming here for a LEAGUE fixture. We haven't got a lucky cup draw or landed a prestigous friendly we have earned the right to play this side because we are a Premier League football team. Wales' first for that matter as well.
So there is no need to be awe struck, no need to thank our lucky stars that we are playing this fixture and certainly no need to believe that we are heading towards a certain defeat or that we should be grateful that the likes of Rooney and co are gracing us with their presence. We should go into the game knowing that we are Swansea City and we have as much chance as anybody of winning the fixture.
In previous years they have fallen against the likes of Burnley and Wolves and West Brom took points at Old Trafford last season so we know they are not invincible. We also know that we can hold our own against the quality teams as we proved against Liverpool.
Alan Tate joked on Swans player this week that he told Darren Fletcher that they could only win if they could get the ball and therein to me lies one of the keys for tomorrow. Don't be the rabbit in the headlights, play your game and see if we can frustrate them in the same way we frustrated Liverpool. Keep the ball, keep to our own game plan and do what we do best.
It may be a tall order and to be fair we are 6/1 with the bookies for a reason but 6/1 shots can win games of football and with 18000 Jacks behind the side we can certainly worry Manchester United and let them know that we won't be intimidated by their presence.
From the outset the crowd need to be our 12th man, remember the night against Forest, that was worthy of the first goal and that is what we need tomorrow. Nothing but support for our heroes in white and let's leave the 'superstars' leaving Swansea at the end with the sound of hymns and arias ringing in their ears even if they are leaving with a point or more.
Man Utd won't have experienced too many atmospheres like the Liberty in full voice in the Premier League. From my experience of Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Wolves this season it's not been loud and certainly not intimidating. The Liberty can be and will be tomorrow and that may just be worthy of an advantage in our favour.
I am excited about facing Manchester United for sure but that is more because this is what we dreamed of in 2001 - to test ourselves against the very best and for the likes of Leon Britton and Garry Monk this is close to the pinnacle of a career of hard work, plenty of graft and a little luck along the way. They understand that more than anybody on the Man Utd side and that may count in our favour as well.
And remember, whatever happens tomorrow this club of ours means much more to all of us then it does to a vast majority of the Man Utd worldwide 'support' and we should never forget that.
We are a special club, we are a pretty unique club and we are loud, proud and positive.
I still believe.
JACK ARMY