Michael Laudrup hopes Swansea’s early return to competitive action will ensure David Moyes has an uncomfortable start to his Manchester United reign at the Liberty Stadium later this month.

Former Everton boss Moyes, who faces the mighty task of following in the footsteps of Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, was an interested observer as Swansea enjoyed an emphatic 4-0 Europa League win over Malmo at the Liberty Stadium on Thursday night.

The Scot will return for his first league game in charge of United on August 17, and he would have left south Wales with points to ponder after watching Swansea hit the ground running.

There were two goals for record-signing Wilfried Bony and a strike from fellow new recruit Alejandro Pozuelo, while Michu picked up where he left off last term with a typically composed first-half finish.

Allied to encouraging signs of an understanding forming between the Spaniard and Bony, there was an impressive performance from debutant Jonjo Shelvey in midfield.

Laudrup hopes the chance for players to bed in during meaningful European fixtures will lead to a strong start domestically.

“It’s great to play these two serious games before the league starts,” he said. “It’s great for us to play a very important competition rather than two friendlies. I was happy to start now because of this.

“We can use these games as preparation for the Premier League.

“We know cup competitions are important but the Premier League is our daily bread. It is where we want to be and it is where we want to consolidate ourselves as a squad and a club this season.”