Manchester United welcomed Norwich City to Old Trafford on Saturday having failed to win in their last five games in all competitions - three of which were in the Premier League.
At the interval, it was the visitors that led courtesy of a 38th-minute strike from Cameron Jerome.
Norwich doubled their lead in the 54th minute through Alexander Tettey, but the home side had one back 25 minutes from time when Anthony Martial smashed home from close range.
The Canaries held on, however, to secure their first-ever Premier League win at Old Trafford.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from Old Trafford as Manchester United welcome Norwich City. Norwich enter the match in the relegation zone, but all of the pressure is on the home side here. The Red Devils are without a win in their last five games in all competitions and were beaten at Bournemouth last time out. The masses are surrounding Louis van Gaal and the Dutchman really, really needs a good result here. Let us hope for a good game of football!
The last time that these two teams met at Old Trafford was in April 2014, when Ryan Giggs was in interim charge of Man United. The English giants were 4-0 winners on that occasion and they have been victorious in 11 of their 14 Premier League matches against Norwich – losing twice in the process. The last of those defeats – 1-0 – came at Carrow Road in November 2012.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news. The good news for Man United's fans is that their injury crisis seems to finally be easing. Teams to follow...
TEAMS:
MAN UNITED: De Gea; Young, Jones, Smalling, Blind; Carrick, Fellaini; Memphis, Mata, Martial; Rooney
NORWICH: Rudd; Martin, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Redmond, O'Neil, Tettey, Brady; Hoolahan; Jerome
So there we have it. I suspect that Man United fans will be much happier with this XI. Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Wayne Rooney have all returned from injury and the latter is set to make his 500th appearance for the Reds this afternoon. Bastian Schweinsteiger is still suspended, meaning that Marouane Fellaini continues in the middle of the park. Morgan Schneiderlin and Ander Herrera, meanwhile, have both been deemed fit-enough for the bench at Old Trafford.
Congratulations to @WayneRooney, who makes his 500th appearance for #mufc today. #500NEY pic.twitter.com/nMcv8WOfJ3
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 19, 2015
As for Norwich, it appears that Alex Neil's side will operate in a 4-4-1-1 formation this afternoon, with Wes Hoolahan supporting lone forward Cameron Jerome, who once again gets the nod at the tip of the attack. Nathan Redmond and Robbie Brady - a former Red - will operate in the wide positions, while Declan Rudd is once again preferred to John Ruddy between the sticks.
Little over 40 minutes until kickoff at Old Trafford and there is quite a strange atmosphere inside the stadium. Home-bankers have been familiar in the Premier League down the years, but there are just no easy games in England's top flight at the moment. This season cannot be predicted and would it actually surprise that many people if Norwich were to win here? Or Sunderland were to win at Chelsea? It has been a bizarre Premier League season to say the very least!
As mentioned, Man United will enter this match off the back of a five-game winless run in all competitions. Van Gaal's side won 2-1 at Watford on November 21, which made it three straight victories in all competitions, but they have not won since. They went out of the Champions League after drawing against PSV Eindhoven and losing at Wolfsburg, which has dropped them into the Europa League.
In the league, they drew at Leicester and at home to West Ham United, before losing 2-1 at Bournemouth last time out. Injuries have really hit Man United in recent weeks and it was almost a youth team that played at Bournemouth, but the results and certainly performances have not been good enough. For all the criticism, however, they are still fourth in the Premier League table.
In fact, Man United are only three points off third-place Manchester City and a further point behind Arsenal. Leicester currently lead the pack on 35 points, while Spurs are three points behind Man United in fifth. Christmas is always an important period of the season and a bad run could see the Reds fall to seventh, eighth. But a good one could see them jump into third or second.
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Defensively, however, Man United have been very, very good. They have conceded the fewest number of league goals this season and have also kept six clean sheets in their last seven league games at Old Trafford. In fact, Man United have nine Premier League clean sheets this term, that is in contrast to Norwich, who only have one. Surely only one result this afternoon then...
... you would think so, but goals have been a serious problem for Man United this season. They have only scored 21 times in their 16 league games, which is 13 fewer than Leicester City and also less than the likes of West Ham United and Everton. Attacking-wise, it just has not been good enough this term and the majority of supporters are starting to lose some faith. I hear that both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola could be available. Can Van Gaal last the season? We shall see!
As for Norwich, they have found life tough in the Premier League since their promotion from the Championship last season. They have not collected all three points in England's top flight since beating struggling Swansea City on November 7, but they have had some tough recent games – losing at Chelsea and Watford, but they have picked up home draws against Arsenal and Everton.
As it stands, the Canaries sit 18th in the Premier League table on 14 points, but they are only two points from 14th-place Bournemouth, which is an indication of just how close it is in the bottom half of the table as we approach Christmas. Overall, Alex Neil's side have won three of their 16 league games, drawing five and losing eight. They have scored 18 times, and conceded 28.
© Getty Images
Norwich have actually only won one of their last 11 games in all competitions and both of their previous league wins against Man United were on home soil. What's more, the Canaries have won just one of their last 19 Premier League games on the road and this season, have only recorded one victory in their eight league fixtures on the road. It is a really big ask in this match.
Norwich spent three straight seasons in the Premier League between 2011 and 2014, but dropped into the Championship after finishing 18th in the 2013-14 season. It is difficult to predict what will occur this season, but they did well to bounce back through the Championship playoffs. A first Premier League win against Man United at Old Trafford would be a good way to end a poor run!
In terms of what both teams have to come – Man United will travel to Stoke City on Boxing Day, before hosting Chelsea in their final match of 2015. Norwich, meanwhile, will travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day, before hosting Aston Villa on December 28. Both sides have some very important games coming up. Right, just about time for my pre-match prediction at OT!
PREDICTION! Will this be the game where we see a big reaction from Man United? A 4-0 win? I am not too sure about that, but I do think that the home side will secure all three points in this match. The first goal is massive and I am predicting the hosts to emerge 2-0 winners in Manchester.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. You just get the feeling that Man United really, really need to win this match. Just three minutes until kickoff.
KICKOFF! Plenty of noise inside the stadium this afternoon. The home supporters will be expecting a response from their team here. An early goal could be nice! Norwich is at home is no longer an easy game for the Reds. Right, it is the away side that kick things off at OT...
... Martial picks up possession down the right before driving past Olsson, who chops the Frenchman to the ground. Fortunate to escape a booking there! Man United take control of the ball in the period that follows and there does seem to be a purpose about the team in this game.
Depay breaks down the left for Man United before delivering into the box, but Bennett beats Rooney and Martial to the ball. The home side have been in control in the early moments, but Norwich have not been overly worried thus far. 'Oh Cantona' rings out in the stands at OT.
Possession football from the home side as they work the ball across the pitch, but Norwich have taken up a strong defensive shape and have been comfortable in the opening six minutes. Redmond takes a moment to recover after taking the ball in the face when Bling swung his boot.
A sloppy pass from Smalling almost allows Norwich to break on the home team, but the ball is back with Man United and they work it forward into Rooney, who immediately looks wide. Rooney then attempts to meet a low cross from Blind, but his effort trickles into the grasp of the waiting Rudd.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Man United have the ball in the back of the net as Rooney converts from close range, but the England captain was in an offside position. Clearly offside there - no goal.
Well, the home side have had plenty of the ball in the opening 12 minutes, but not too much is happening. Rooney of course had the ball in the back of the net, but there has not been too much else from Van Gaal's side, who remember, have not won any of their last five in all competitions.
Pass, pass, pass. Not much else. Man United at the moment.
Half-chance for the home side as Depay, who has been bright, curls one from the edge of the box, but his effort was always curling over the crossbar. All Man United it must be said, but still 0-0.
CHANCE! Better from the home team as Mata drives forward before finding Rooney inside the Norwich box, but his screwed effort is wide of the post. Much better driving run from Mata!
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this game. Martial again drives in from the right before setting up Rooney, but it breaks down with the captain. Depay, Martial and Mata all look in the mood. Rooney? Not so much. Story of his season to be honest.
The home side continue to work the ball wide, this time into Blind, who delivers, but it is too strong for Rooney and Norwich have a goal kick. Man United on top, but Norwich are holding firm here.
Super work from Tettey as the Norwich midfielder turns away from Smalling outside the Man United box, but his effort is wide of the post. Much better build-up from the away side there.
Man United continue to keep the pressure on with a couple of free kicks into the Norwich box, but the quality has not been great thus far. Young again delivers from a wide area, but Bennett puts a big head on the ball and the danger is cleared. One-way traffic, but still goalless in Manchester here.
Rooney has one deflected wide of the post after more good work from Mata!
Another half-chance for the home side as Smalling meets a corner from Blind, but his header was always wide of the post. It is better from Man United, but the finishing is not there at the moment.
BOOKING! O'Neil (Norwich) is booked for a late challenge on Martial.
Another half-chance for the home side as Rooney delivers a super ball into Depay, but Martin is across on the cover to make a fine challenge. A Norwich goal on the counter would just sum up how it is going for Man United at the moment. They are really pressing for the opening goal!
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side as Blind delivers a wonderful corner, which evades all of Norwich's defenders, but neither Smalling nor Fellaini can get a touch! Incredible!
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Norwich are holding strong here. The Canaries are also looking a threat when they manage to break into the final third of the field.
Norwich have a free kick in a dangerous area as Mata brings Hoolahan to the ground...
... Hoolahan delivers towards the far post, but Martial is up to clear with a super header.
Young picks out the head of Fellaini with a long pass and the Belgian manages to angle a header into Rooney, but once again a yellow shirt is first to react. Norwich are quite comfortable here.
GOAL! Man United 0-1 Norwich (Jerome)
Norwich take the lead on the counter as Jerome manages to evade the challenge of Young before beating De Gea from inside the box. Poor goalkeeping - he should have done better there.
It just is not good enough from the home team, but it has not been for weeks. Rooney goes down inside the box, but there is nothing there and the supporters just cannot believe it.
Boos at the half-time whistle anyone? Surely that will happen if the score is 0-1 at the break. Man United have not had a shot on target here and the performance has once again been terrible.
One minute of additional time at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Man United 0-1 Norwich
Not quite what Man United had in mind then. The referee brings the first period to a close with Norwich leading 1-0 courtesy of a 38th-minute strike from Jerome, who beat De Gea from close range after strong work from Redmond. Same old, same old for supporters of the Reds.
STATS! Man United have dominated the possession with 70%, but they have not had a single shot on target, which frankly is embarrassing. Norwich have only had one shot on target, but that found the back of the net. One yellow to report - O'Neil (Norwich) for a late challenge on Martial.
BENCH WATCH! Man United do not have a single striker on their bench this afternoon, but the likes of Herrera, Pereira and Schneiderlin are available from a midfield perspective. As for Norwich, Neil has options in the shape of Dorrans, Mbokani and Howson. Will Van Gaal decide to make any alterations at the break? The hosts need much more cutting edge in the final third of the field.
RESTART! You get the feeling that this could be a big 45 minutes for Man United and indeed Van Gaal, who is under serious, serious pressure. Right, the home side restart the action at OT...
... no changes from either side at the break, but the home team were out early and look ready to go here. It just has to be better, there has to be more substance to their attacking work.
Martial is back defending in the right-back position and brings down Olsson for another Norwich free kick. A second for the visitors would really put the heat on Van Gaal. Still 1-0 Canaries here.
It would be nice to see Van Gaal get out of his seat and try and change something here. The Dutchman sits on the bench with his notepad and nothing is changing on the field. It is not as if the home side are not trying, but their final ball has been really, really poor this afternoon here.
BOOKING! Brady (Norwich) is booked for a late challenge on Mata.
How long will Van Gaal leave it before he makes a change? There is not a single striker on the bench for the home side, but Herrera's energy could prove key as the game develops here.
GOAL! Man United 0-2 Norwich (Tettey)
Norwich have their second of the match as Rooney loses the ball in midfield before Jerome sets up Tettey and the midfielder fires one into the bottom corner. Pathetic from the home team.
Conference call to Jose Mourinho? Van Gaal surely cannot last much longer as things stand.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and the home team have not had a shot on target. Not one. It is happening too often at the moment and surely it cannot continue. It is the Norwich fans making all of the noise inside the stadium, while the home supporters sit there in stunned silence.
Rooney tries a spectacular bicycle kick, but his effort is wide.
MAN UNITED SUB! Ander Herrera on for Fellaini.
One goal in the next five or 10 minutes would at least give the home side hope of a point, but a point at home to Norwich? Is that a good result? The very simple answer to that question is no.
Norwich continue to look a threat each time they break forward, with Redmond causing problems with his pace and direct running. The youngster switches a pass into Jerome, but the striker is crowded out, before Rooney loses possession down the other end. Little over 25 to play here.
NORWICH SUB! Howson replaces Hoolahan for the visitors.
GOAL! Man United 1-2 Norwich (Martial)
Man United are back in the game in the 66th minute as Martial smashes home from close range after a mix-up inside the Norwich box. There is life in the Red Devils yet. Game on here.
Good pressure from the home side at the moment as they continue to flood the box and one drops to Blind out the sky, but his effort is deflected behind. Still more than 20 minutes remaining here.
Stop in play here as Young receives some treatment following an awkward fall...
... we are back underway. Can the home side get back into this match? They are attacking again.
Norwich are dropping very, very deep here. You cannot blame them, but it is all one-way traffic and the home team will fancy creating at least one more big chance in the final moments here.
Roy Keane was inside the stadium for this match. Well, he has just left. Not quite the football that he used to play in this stadium. Paul Scholes has also criticised Van Gaal's team this term.
Martial just misses a cross from the left, moments before Herrera has one deflected over the crossbar. Man United are really pressing forward as we approach the final 10 minutes here.
CHANCE! Young delivers a sensational cross into the Norwich box, but there are no takers. All it needed was a touch - a leg, some body part. It had to go in! Still Norwich hold out there.
SAVE! Mata stands over a free kick outside the box, but his effort is pushed clear by Rudd.
NORWICH SUBS! Mulumbu, Mbokani replace O'Neil, Jerome.
The home side are just huffing and puffing at the moment without really threatening. Norwich on the other hand have a half-chance as Mulumbu angles one towards the bottom corner, but De Gea is on hand to make the save. The Man United stopper has not had a great game, but that was a good save.
Desperate defending from Norwich as Olsson hooks wide at the far post, but the resulting corner is delivered straight into the arms of Rudd. Norwich are getting closer to a famous result here.
In seasons gone by, you would always fancy Man United to score late on. You just don't get that feeling any more. Another poor cross from Rooney wastes some more minutes here.
The stands are starting to empty here, which is a surprise at this stage, but then again, you can understand the frustration. It just has not been good enough once again from Man United.
We are into four additional minutes.
Pressure from Man United? Yes. Really looking likely to score? No.
I can see some yawns in the crowd. It sums it up. This is not Man United.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Man United to equalise as Smalling stays forward and meets a long pass from Herrera, but his low header is wide of the post. Should be about it.
FULL-TIME: Man United 1-2 Norwich
It is all over. Man United lose at home to Norwich - it is a terrible result for the home team, who have dropped out of the top four. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
