The Swans recorded a historic double over Manchester United last season, including victory in the manager’s opening game, but the Dutchman says his squad is now more prepared

Louis van Gaal is targeting revenge as he prepares his Manchester United squad to face Swansea City.

Goals from Ki Sung-yueng and Gylfi Sigurdsson saw Van Gaal lose his first game in charge of United 12 months ago, before Garry Monk masterminded a second victory at the Liberty Stadium in March.

Van Gaal, who is now approaching his 50th game in charge, insists his squad are in better shape ahead of Sunday’s clash but feels a victory is still a tall order.

“I don’t want to lose again,” he told reporters. “It’s the only club we could not beat or gain one point against [last season]. I hope we can improve and that we can show that we are better than last year.

“My first match was against Swansea and we lost – now I have my 50th and I hope we can show we have improved. It will be difficult to beat them but we are better prepared than this time last year.

“Adnan Januzaj was injured and because of that he was out of the team. He shall not play against Swansea.”

United were placed against PSV, CSKA Moscow and Wolfsburg on Thursday’s Champions League group stage draw and Van Gaal says preparation is already underway ahead of the September 15 kick-off

“It could be worse but it could be better also,” he said. “I am not so interested, we have to look now to the clubs because these days shape is more important than it was in the past.

“Marcel [Bout, United’s chief scout] is already going to the matches of Wolfsburg and also PSV. PSV have to play Feyenoord so that’s a big match in Holland – we have to analyse now.”