A trip to Old Trafford is one of the highlights of any Premier League season, no matter which club you support.
The success that United achieved under Sir Alex Ferguson looks unlikely to ever be repeated again by just one single manager. The current incumbent of the Manchester United manager’s office is ‘under fire’ Louis van Gaal.
There’s been a lot of grumbling from the United fans and now that Jose Mourinho has been fired, LvG is likely to be under the spotlight even more. Norwich head to Manchester surely knowing that a first half similar to that against Everton is highly unlikely, at this level, to see City still in a match at half time again. Everton should’ve been out of sight and it cost them. Norwich can’t play that badly again, can they?
Vital Quotes:
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: ‘I have the full confidence of my board and my players, I feel. But we have to get results.
‘We have to win, and we know that – the players know it, I know it and my staff know it.
‘We have to win because when you lose too much, also for me it’s the end of the world.’
Norwich City manager Alex Neil: ‘The disappointing thing for me is with this squad, we should have more points on the board.
‘We as a group are more than capable, if we play as well as we can, of putting back-to-back wins together.
‘The one thing I have found in the Premier League is that the margin between success and failure is paper-thin.’
Careful Alex, you’ll use be rolling out the ‘fine margins’ line to excuse defeat ala Chris Hughton soon.
Man Utd Team News:
Wayne Rooney is expected to make his return from an ankle injury and if he does, could make his 500th United appearance here.
Ander Herrera and Chris Smalling have also returned to training this week and could feature but Bastian Schweinsteiger is suspended.
Player to watch: Juan Mata
The Spanish maestro always seems to play well against Norwich and has been string puller in chief in Rooney’s absence. His movement and eye for a pass have caught my eye in recent weeks in the ‘number 10’ position.
Norwich City Team News:
Andre Wisdom has a hamstring strain and won’t face United.
Matt Jarvis is back in training and could return after Christmas.
Declan Rudd has earned the keeper’s jersey after two man of the match performances since John Ruddy was dropped. Coupled with Ruddy’s fracas in Tombland last weekend, Rudd seems certain to continue between the sticks.
Player to watch: Declan Rudd
Declan ‘He’s one of our own’ Rudd is likely to be in for a busy afternoon. Norwich City’s last two visits to Old Trafford have ended in 4-0 defeats and Rudd seems set for a busy afternoon, in spite of United’s shot shy recent performances.
Match Facts & Stats
Norwich have won just two of the last 18 league meetings (D1, L15)
The Red Devils had just one second half shot on target in their last three league games.
United have kept six clean sheets in their last seven Premier League home games.
Juan Mata has scored four goals in six Premier League games against Norwich.
Norwich have taken five points from the last 27 available (W1, D2, L6).
Only two teams – Sunderland and Newcastle – have conceded more away league goals than Norwich’s 18.
Match Prediction:
Despite their perceived poor performances lately (they haven’t won in their last five in all competitions), Old Trafford is still a tough challenge for any visiting team – let alone a team who have been playing as poorly as Norwich.
If they play like they did in the first half against Everton then they will be in trouble. On the flip side of that though, if they play like they did in the second, then LvG will have plenty to worry about, himself.
I’m not endlessly optimistic though and am expecting a cautious performance from Alex Neil rather than a ‘have a go’ type performance. If he does that, I think we’ll be beaten, if they give it a go on the front foot then we stand a chance against a shot shy side.
I’m not going to give you a score prediction but safe to say, I think we’ll be beaten (sorry for throwing in the towel).
Next Fixtures:
Spurs away on Boxing Day and then Aston Villa at home on the 28th. Villa is surely a ‘must win’ game.
