DUTCH master Louis Van Gaal last night admitted he was given a lesson by rookie manager Garry Monk.
The Manchester United boss confessed Wayne Rooney and co did not know how to react after 36-year-old Monk changed his tactics after going behind to a Juan Mata goal in the 48th minute.
Monk went to a diamond, with Andre Ayew on the right and brought on Ki Sung-Yeung to stop United bossing the midfield.
And his reshape saw Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis grab the goals in the 61st and 66th minutes to land a third win out of three in top flight contests between the two managers.
"I think for 85 minutes we were the dominant team on the pitch but we lost in five minutes," said Van Gaal.
"We lost in those five minutes because Swansea changed the shape. The benefit of Swansea was the manager and players because they have tried everything to make a good result.
"In the five minutes that they changed the shape they scored two goals. It is a big lesson for us.
"We have to adapt much more quickly than we have done. You have seen what Swansea have done.
"They changed compactness and we didn't see that before. They want to have that result."
Monk has only been full-time boss of Swansea since May of last year after a spell as interim coach and has spoken openly about how he wants to keep changing the shape and tactics employed by his team, depending on how a team is playing.
But despite all of 64-year-old Van Gaal's experience, United were caught out by Monk's brainwave and relied largely on long balls up to substitute Marouane Fellaini as they chased an equaliser.
Monk, whose unbeaten team are now fourth, said changing shape and tactics was something his team had drilled into them. "We work on that daily," he said. "We adapt and that is what a good team can do.
"I am excited to be part of it. we need to take the momentum into the rest of the season."
Keeper Sergio Romero was at fault for the winner but Van Gaal refused to blame the Argentine keeper, playing in the continued absence of Real Madrid target David De Gea.
"What I always say is defending starts in front and not only in the last line," added Van Gaal. "You can always analyse errors. I don't think that is a good way.
"I don't agree that the goalkeeper was not so good."
Asked if De Gea was going to stay, Van Gaal said: "I don't know. You can ask all the players but you have to wait and see till Manchester United make an announcement or the club where he is going make an announcement. Otherwise he stays.
"We have coped with the situation by buying Romero. That is what we have done as a club to settle that issue. We have done it well."
