ANGEL Rangel admits Swansea City must serve up an impeccable performance if they are to bring down the mighty Manchester United this weekend.
And the right-back reckons Michael Laudrup's men can deliver because they are no longer wet behind the ears in the Premier League.
"We are not naive anymore," Rangel says, "particularly against the big clubs at home.
"We know the crowd is going to be behind us 100 per cent.
"What we have to do is be positive and brave and go for the game.
"If you go and give too much respect to the opponent, you are going to get beaten.
"It happened at Manchester City in the first game of last season, we weren't ourselves.
"We have to go out and give everything this weekend."
Swansea's callow streak was also on display when United last came to Wales in November 2011.
Brendan Rodgers's team gave the men from Old Trafford a run for their money that day — but only in the second half.
Swap shirts
Before the break, Rodgers suggested afterwards, his players had been too busy trying to establish which of United's stars they would swap shirts with at the end.
It was during the first half that Sir Alex Ferguson's team won the game, Ryan Giggs collecting a rare loose pass from Rangel and centring for Javier Hernandez to finish with little fuss.
Swansea fought hard to get back into the contest, and should have scored when Scott Sinclair fired wide of a gaping net.
With that opportunity went the home side's chances of chalking up a landmark result.
"We have to be faultless," Rangel concedes.
"When you play these game you have to be at your best — and that means all 11 players.
"We know we have to do things properly and that our concentration has to be right all through the game.
"If it is not we will get punished — that is what happened to me when we played United at home last season.
"We have to be well organised and, when we are on the ball, we have to play our game.
"We have to pass the ball and try to create chances."
United's leaky defensive record suggests there may be opportunities for Swansea should they get their performance right.
A goal against the league leaders would be a start on Sunday, for Swansea did not manage to beat David De Gea in either of last season's encounters.
Swansea did not embarrass themselves in either of the United games last term, but at no stage did they look like beating Sir Alex's side.
Laudrup will be optimistic about their chances of changing all that this weekend, but it will take a special Swansea display coupled with a below-par effort from the visitors.
"We have nothing to lose in this game," Rangel points out.
"The only pressure we have is that we play at home.
"We want to win every game at home, but this time we are playing against the team on top of the league.
"Hopefully we can go out and do something good."
Rangel and Co have proved beyond doubt that when they get things right, they can trouble even the best sides the Premier League has to offer.
Heavyweight
In fact, of all the top flight's heavyweight teams, United are the last one standing when it comes to dropping points against Swansea.
Arsenal, Liverpool (both twice) and Manchester City have all been beaten, while Chelsea (twice) and Spurs have only managed draws in SA1.
Getting something against United is the last tick for Swansea to tick, and Rangel is full of respect for the Premier League pacesetters.
"They were very well organised last year and didn't let us play our own game," he adds.
"They were really good. They didn't have many chances but they were very clinical.
"It will be similar this weekend.
"It's a tough game against a team who are powerful with so many great players, especially with (Robin) van Persie now there as well.
"We will have to be at our best. We have to play our game and try to get something."
Swansea can say they beat the champions of last season thanks to that memorable Luke Moore goal last March.
Boast
Might victory on Sunday mean they end up with a similar boast at the end of 2012-13?
There is a long way to go before silverware is secure, but Rangel regards United as favourites to take the crown next May.
"They have not always played as well as they can, but they are still getting results," he says.
"When you have bad moments the main thing is that you still get the result, and they are always getting points.
"That's what you have to do if you want to be at the top.
"Chelsea started off very well but are dropping points and Manchester City are a bit on and off.
"Probably United are looking the strongest side so far this season."
With United six points clear, the table suggests as much.
But, Rangel stresses, that does not make them unbeatable.
