Manchester United went to Swansea this afternoon knowing that a win would take them to within two points of league leaders and bitter rivals Manchester City.

And they looked nailed on to do just that when Juan Mata popped up at the back post to convert Luke Shaw's cross in the second half.

But Swansea refused to lie down and a stunning five minute spell just after the hour mark saw Andre Ayew head in the leveller and then Bafetimbi Gomis poked in under goalkeeper Romero to put the hosts ahead.

United huffed and puffed as they search for an equaliser, throwing on Fellaini late on to help cause problems in front of the Swansea goal, but Garry Monk's side stood firm and defended exceptionally well to secure a third consecutive victory over Man United in the Premier League.

The result will hurt United after their unbeaten start to the season was halted, while they also conceded their first goals of the new campaign.

It proved there is still a long way to go before United get anywhere near to being credible title contenders under Louis Van Gaal, so here's what we learned from the game today...

Rooney is finished...

Rooney's hat-trick against Club Brugge in the Champions League earlier this week had many of us believing he'd finally returned to his old, prolific self.

But another awful display in front of goal this afternoon meant he's now gone 10 Premier League games without a goal for United and is ultimately preventing Van Gaal's side from pushing on.

It's clear United need a world class striker to come in before Tuesday evening's transfer window deadline, otherwise the prospect of having a misfiring Rooney and a make-shift striker in Fellaini as options up front until January at least could seriously damage their title/top four ambitions.

They need to keep De Gea

Sergio Romero had initially looked like a shrewd replacement for David De Gea, who's place in the side hinges on a potential move to Real Madrid before Tuesday deadline.

Van Gaal claims De Gea hasn't been in the side all season because he feels he isn't focused enough, mostly due to the fact he wants to go home to Spain and sign for Real.

However, today proved that they need to do everything they can to keep him at Old Trafford. Romero had kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League before today, but today he conceded two goals that many fans will believe wouldn't have gone in had they had a truly world class keeper like De Gea between the sticks.

If they don't keep him at the club then they've two days to bring in proper replacement...

Blind isn't up to it...

...as a defender, that is.

Louis Van Gaal's decision to deploy Blind as a centre-half is another one that looked to be justified after going the first three games without conceding this season.

But today the Dutch international came up against his first real test against a physical Bafetimbi Gomis and he struggled big time.

Ed Woodward really, really needs to go out and buy a world class centre back in the next 48 hours, otherwise it could be very long few months before the window opens again in January.