'We must play with courage'

Carlos Carvalhal has told his team to play with courage this weekend as Swansea City go in search of something special at Manchester United.

The Swans boss reckons “99.999 per cent” of people will expect a home win when his team go to United on Saturday.

But Carvalhal believes there will be a different attitude in Old Trafford’s away dressing room.

“We will try our best to take points in every game we play,” he said.

“Our next game is Manchester United, when 99.999 per cent of people will say Manchester United are favourites and expect them to win.

“But the 0.001 per cent who think differently will be me and my players.

“We believe we can achieve something. We have to believe that because if we don’t, we will get nothing.

“It’s a big challenge, we know that. This is the hardest game we will play.

“But it’s one team against another team, one referee and the fans, so let’s fight and let’s see.

“We will try to play our game with the ball. To do that we must play with courage – we must play football. If we don’t, we will have no chance.”

Although they were well beaten by Spurs in the FA Cup last time out, the Swans head north with confidence courtesy of their Premier League form under Carvalhal.

They are well aware, however, that a huge performance will be required if they are to upset a United side who have lost just two of their last 42 home league games.

“Manchester United are a very powerful side,” Carvalhal added.

“They win 95 per cent of their home games – (Jose) Mourinho teams are always very strong at home.

“But I have never lost against him and I have never lost at Old Trafford – because I have never faced him and I have never played at Old Trafford!

“They will have the ball more than us, that is normal. But we must try to score when we have the ball and when they have the ball we must defend very well.

“We must be efficient to achieve some points and that is what we’ll try to do.”