Manchester United have moved level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Swansea City.
It was the home side who dominated possession of the ball in the early stages, without ever really threatening to open the scoring in a flat opening period.
Swansea had the first real effort of the match after 10 minutes when Nathan Dyer fired over the crossbar from outside the area.
The away side continued to play their passing game as the half developed, with United's final ball lacking on more than one occasion.
The home side's real first chance came after 22 minutes when Patrice Evra struck from outside the box, but he was denied by Michel Vorm, before the Swansea goalkeeper pushed Wayne Rooney's effort wide.
United did take the lead, however, after 28 minutes when Paul Scholes tapped Michael Carrick's shot home from close range.
Javier Hernandez might have added a second moments later, but he failed to turn in a Carrick cross at the near post.
United continued to attack as the half approached its latter stages, and they forced a second after 41 minutes when Ashley Young found a clever finish to leave the score at 2-0 at the break.
United started the second period much as they ended first, with attacking intent and tidy possession in midfield.
They might have added a third after 53 minutes with a quick break from Antonio Valencia, but Young could not make connection with his cross.
Hernandez headed a Valencia cross over the bar just before the hour mark, before Swansea so nearly cut the score to 2-1 with an effort from Danny Graham, but David de Gea made a smart save with his feet.
Swansea again came close moments later via Dyer, but the winger fired over the bar from inside the box.
Gylfi Sigurdsson also came close with a free kick after 70 minutes, but De Gea was on hand to push the ball to safety.
United continued to push for the third in the latter stages, and Rooney curled wide from close range after 74 minutes.
The match dwindled away in the final stages, with no real chances of note, with United's title challenge all but ended after City's 2-0 win over Newcastle United earlier in the day.
Matt Law
