Bob Bradley: Swansea City boss questions players after Manchester United defeat

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Bob BradleyImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Swansea City are yet to win a game since Bob Bradley's arrival at the Liberty Stadium on 3 October

Swansea City manager Bob Bradley has questioned his players' commitment following their 3-1 home defeat by Manchester United.

The Swans, second from bottom in the Premier League, were booed by their own fans as their winless run stretched to 10 league games.

Bradley sympathised and said they must improve drastically to win them round.

"We just didn't show enough commitment to close things down and get tight on people," he said.

"You can't play against a good team and play that way. The second half was a little progress, but you can't take solace from playing a bit better in the second half after you're down 3-0.

"It's a tough spot, there's no two ways about it. We understand very clearly where we are. There's no hiding from the situation."

Swansea were 3-0 down after just 33 minutes as United took charge thanks to a spectacular strike from Paul Pogba and two goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swans' shambolic performance prompted an angry response from their fans, who voiced their displeasure about off-field matters with a chant of "We want our club back" in reference to the club's American takeover in the summer.

Swansea's supporters also turned on chairman Huw Jenkins and the club's directors who sold some - or, in some cases, all - of their shares to the new American owners, Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan.

Levien was at the Liberty Stadium to watch the game against United, and the team's dismal display led to a cacophony of boos as the players left the field at half-time.

"There's only one way for us to win the support of the fans and that is to play better and take points," said Bradley.

"I know there's some back and forth going on but from our side, the players and coaches, professionally we've got to focus on the only part we control, and that's how we play. That's how we compete and fight for points.

"The fans were angry with us at half-time and I understand. The first half we did not do enough to win them over in any way and, with a 3-0 scoreline at half-time at home, they have every right to be angry at that point, and we have to be honest about the work that needs to be done."

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