Ashley Young gets unexpected delivery from the skies as Manchester United slump to Swansea defeat on opening afternoon of Premier League season 

  • Midfielder was ranting at United's shaky defence when what appeared to be bird excrement landed in his mouth
  • Young played the full 90 minutes as United slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Swansea in Louis Van Gaal's first Premier League match
  • Clip was captured by BT Sport and soon went viral on Twitter
  • Goals from Ki Sung-Yeung and Gylfi Sigurdsson handed Swansea victory
  • Wayne Rooney had equalised for United shortly after half-time 

By Adam Shergold

Published: 10:05 EST, 16 August 2014 | Updated: 10:29 EST, 18 August 2014

As if losing 2-1 at home to Swansea City on the opening afternoon of the Barclays Premier League season wasn't bad enough, Ashley Young's efforts to rally Manchester United's lacklustre troops resulted in an unexpected delivery from above.

In images captured by BT Sport and quickly spread on Twitter, the midfielder was ranting and raving at the defence when a dollop of bird excrement appeared to land in his mouth.

The bird must have laser-guided aim, as its 'delivery' landed right on the inside of the England international's lower lip from quite some distance away.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Van Gaal: Our confidence will be smashed down with result

Laser aim: As Young rants and raves at the shaky United defence, the bird excrement can be seen flying towards his open mouth

Laser aim: As Young rants and raves at the shaky United defence, the bird excrement can be seen flying towards his open mouth

Hitting the target: Young continues to shout as the 'delivery' lands on his tongue

Hitting the target: Young continues to shout as the 'delivery' lands on his tongue

Special delivery: Ashley Young (left) was targeted by a very accurate bird during Manchester United's 2-1 home defeat by Swansea City on the opening afternoon of the Barclays Premier League season

Special delivery: Ashley Young (left) was targeted by a very accurate bird during Manchester United's 2-1 home defeat by Swansea City on the opening afternoon of the Barclays Premier League season

Frustration: Young cut an annoyed figure as lacklustre United slipped to defeat in Van Gaal's first game

Frustration: Young cut an annoyed figure as lacklustre United slipped to defeat in Van Gaal's first game

It was not quite the Premier League debut Louis Van Gaal imagined as a sluggish United performance at Old Trafford saw them succumb to defeat.

The Dutchman has restored optimism to Old Trafford following the dark days of the David Moyes era last season and he was given a rapturous welcome as he walked out before kick-off.

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VIDEO Manchester United post-match reaction 

Bad start: The loss to Swansea was not the result Louis Van Gaal envisaged in his first match in charge

Bad start: The loss to Swansea was not the result Louis Van Gaal envisaged in his first match in charge

Winner: Gylfi Sigurdsson settled the game in Swansea's favour as United's defence crumbled

Winner: Gylfi Sigurdsson settled the game in Swansea's favour as United's defence crumbled

But the mood fell flat when Swansea's Ki Sung-Yeung curled home from the edge of the box after 28 minutes.

Wayne Rooney hooked home an equaliser for United shortly after half-time but, in an echo of last season, United's defence fell apart to allow Gylfi Sigurdsson to score the winner.

Let's home Young washed his mouth out afterwards.  

 

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