Darren Huckerby » Match Review 2011

Manchester United v Norwich City

Probably the game most fans and players look forward to when the fixtures are announced at the start of the season. Norwich coming off back to back Premier League wins would be looking to take anything from the game at Old Trafford,Paul Lambert named an unchanged team. Stalwart Adam Drury came onto the bench with Simeon Jackson,who replaced the injured Vaughan who is likely to be out for several months. Manchester Utd welcomed back Wayne Rooney and Hernandez upfront,the only real omission from the squad was Ashley Young who was rested after his flying start to the season. United were looking for a club record 19th straight win at Old Trafford which goes to show how difficult this game is for visiting teams.

First Half

Norwich looked to ease themselves into the game on a scorching October day. Man Utd had the first shot on target, Rooney's effort after only 2 minutes lacked power and was straight at Ruddy. Norwich had a great chance on 5 minutes,a one two between Bennett and Hoolahan sent Bennett away down the right but with time and a 3 on 2 situation he picked the wrong option with the defender blocking, he probably should have gone far post with Morison in acres of space looking for an easy tap in. Another half chance fell to Hoolahan minutes later,a long ball from Ruddy was flicked on finding Hoolahan 30 yards out, his first time half volley sailed over but Norwich were looking a threat. On the 10th minute with Manchester trying to apply pressure,Nani had a shot that flashed wide. 20 minutes in and Utd had more of the ball but Norwich looked comfortable at the back and always looked a threat on the break. Rooney was unlucky heading over from a Nani corner,Russell Martin just did enough to put him off. Norwich were defending deep but were well organised,Man Utd fans were getting frustrated by the lack of penetration by the home team,as half time approached Nani had a 20 yard strike that went well wide.

Overall Norwich had an outstanding first half keeping a very talented Utd side relatively quiet apart from a couple of long range shots and a Rooney header. Norwich didn't just defend well they always looked a threat on the break.

Second Half

Sir Alex Ferguson didn't look too happy when he came out for the second half,so you can imagine the Utd players had had a good talking to at half time,Norwich fans were expecting an onslaught but it was Norwich who created the first chance of the second half, Morison muscled Evans out of the way leaving himself 2 on 1 with Jones,he had two options, go straight at goal and get a shot off himself or play the ball to the unmarked Hoolahan,he took too long and in the end did neither,a chance wasted. Norwich had another good opportunity in their next attack,Pilkington cut inside from the left but his shot was blocked well by Evans and the ball looped into Lindegard's hands. United,who had the majority of possession but weren't doing much with it,made a couple of subs to try and break the resolute Norwich defence with Giggs and Welbeck replacing Nani and Hernandez. On 65 minutes Norwich had their best chance of the match and it changed the course of the game,a Johnson through ball was misjudged by Valencia who stumbled leaving Pilkington clean through with just the goal keeper to beat it was on to curl it into the bottom corner but he went for more power and the ball ended up 3 or 4 yards wide of the far post,he really should have scored. Virtually straight away Norwich were made to pay for the miss,Anderson heading home from an initial Giggs corner,it was very hard on Norwich who didn't deserve to be a goal down. Paul Lambert made two changes bringing on Crofts and Jackson for Fox and Bennett,on 75 minutes Norwich were unlucky not to pull level,another Pilkington effort was deflected off Anderson and could have gone anywhere but it struck the woodwork and bounced on the line and was grabbed by Lindegard. Rooney nearly increased Utds lead when he latched onto a cross field ball from Giggs,he beat Russell Martin with a good bit of footwork but fired his shot just wide,very unlucky. With 6 minutes left Norwich again had a massive chance to get back on level terms, Morison played a good one two with Jackson and got clear left one on one with the keeper he miscued his left footed effort bobbling the ball into the keepers hands. Norwich really were giving as good as they got but Utds ruthlessness in front of goal put an end to Norwichs chance of a pointl, Welbeck played a neat one two with Park who laid the ball back to Welbeck to tap in from 5 yards out. Rooney could and should have made it a flattering 3-0 when he broke away but his clever chip went just overt the bar.

Overall a very good away performance against the best team in England and arguably top 3 in the world,for 2 thirds of the pitch we matched United with only our play in the final third letting us down.

• Manchester United: Lindegaard; Valencia, Jones, Evans, Evra; Nani (Giggs, 64), Fletcher, Anderson (Ferdinand, 76), Park; Rooney, Hernandez (Welbeck, 64).

Subs (not used): De Gea, Carrick, Owen, Barbatov.

• Norwich City: Ruddy; Naughton, Barnett, Russell Martin, Tierney; Bennett (Jackson, 74), Fox (Crofts, 74), Bradley Johnson, Pilkington; Hoolahan (Chris Martin, 85); Morison.

Subs (not used): Rudd, Drury, Surman, Holt.

• Referee: Stuart Atwell (Warwickshire)

• Attendance: 75,514

• Goals: Man Utd: Anderson (68), Welbeck (87)

• Bookings: Man Utd: Welbeck (71)

Good Points

Created more clear cut chances at Old Trafford than we have in any other game this season.

Back 4 again looked very strong,composed and organised.

Limited a very good team to only a few chances (unfortunately they took them)

Tierney was excellent again,dealt with Nani with little fuss its as quiet as I've seen Nani in a game. Tierney has been superb in every game so far this season.

Morison worked tirelessly up front on his own with our 4-4-1-1 formation he has to put a shift in.

Man Utd were pleased to get the 90 minutes over and done with.