Matteo Darmian dropped by Manchester United, Wayne Rooney starts

Today's the day we find out whether Manchester United's energetic performance against Chelsea really did mark the beginning of a proper improvement, or whether Louis van Gaal's Manchester United are still, fundamentally, a bit rubbish. Van Gaal's bogey team Swansea City are the visitors, and United have made one change from Boxing Day.

That change sees Matteo Darmian drop to the bench and Phil Jones come into the centre of defence. He'll be partnered by Chris Smalling, and the full back action will come from Ashley Young and Daley Blind.

Into midfield, it's good to see both Ander Herrera and Morgan Schneiderlin keep their places alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger. Juan Mata and Anthony Martial will play wide, though presumably in quite different fashion, while Wayne Rooney continues up front. We note with interest that Van Gaal has started to wonder publicly if getting rid of the rest of his strikers might have been a bit silly.

David de Gea's in goal. Hooray!

Keeping Sergio Romero company on the bench are Darmian, Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini. Youthful promise/Terrifying inexperience is provided by Paddy McNair, Andreas Pereira and Memphis Depay.