Feb 26
Will United Clip the Canaries at Carrow Road?
The one good thing about Manchester United’s European adThe one good thing about Manchester United’s European adventures presently being on Thursday nights is that it means league games on Sundays instead of Saturdays, and when the archrivals and chief title rivals are playing the day before, that means you know what you have to do well ahead of time.
With City defeating Blackburn at home yesterday, United head into this afternoon’s visit to Norwich City needing three points to keep the deficit at the top at two points heading into next Sunday’s crucial clash at Tottenham. But to get those three points, we’ll have to see a much better performance than the one we saw on Thursday in the 2-1 fall-from-ahead and hairier-than-it-should-have-been home defeat to Ajax. Given this season’s overall success away from home to this point, there’s reason for optimism, even after what was an extremely forgettable performance in what should have been a stroll.
RECENT HISTORY
In the first matchup this season between the two sides, Norwich were every bit as good as United, if not better, for more than an hour but missed multiple opportunities to take a lead at Old Trafford. In the end, those missed opportunities cost them, as Anderson broke the deadlock in the 68th minute and Danny Welbeck applied the finishing blow three minutes from time to give United a 2-0 win.
United’s last trip to Carrow Road wasn’t a successful one, as Norwich notched a 2-0 win in April 2005. However, prior to that defeat, United had been victorious in their last five away league matches against Norwich, and in those five wins, United outscored the Canaries 13-2.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Norwich City
1. Norwich are currently the best of the promoted sides, flying high in eighth position in the Premier League table with 35 points from 25 matches.
The Canaries have nine wins, eight draws, and eight defeats overall thus far, and they have a mark of five wins, four draws, and three defeats at Carrow Road. Two of their home defeats are to Arsenal and Spurs, while they notched a goalless draw against Chelsea last month. There aren’t any marquee home wins on their ledger, but they’ve won most of the home games that they were supposed to win.
2. Norwich have found the back of the net regularly this season, so a tight defensive performance is a must. They’ve scored 37 goals overall this season, which is seventh in the league. 19 of those goals have been scored at home, and they’ve scored multiple goals a dozen times this season, though I suppose it’s worth noting that they haven’t scored multiple goals in any of their matches against the top seven.
3. That scoring has been necessary, however, as the Canaries have been a little porous at the back. They’re 15th in the league with 41 goals allowed, with only bottom dwellers Blackburn, Bolton, QPR, Wigan, and Wolves allowing more.
That being said, they’ve been decent defensively at home, allowing 15 goals in 12 matches, which is the same total that United have surrendered at home. They come into today’s game with clean sheets in their last two home matches, which were their first two clean sheets at home this season.
4. Norwich have received production from many sources this season, so United have multiple danger men to keep both eyes on. Grant Holt leads the way with nine league goals and 11 in all competitions, with Steve Morison on eight league goals and nine in all competitions, and Anthony Pilkington on seven league goals. Pilkington was one of Norwich’s top performers in the match at Old Trafford, and he missed one of the most golden opportunities that he’ll ever receive, shooting wide with the goal, Anders Lindegaard, and all of the United faithful at Old Trafford and around the world at his mercy. Given that he has scored in his last two league matches, it’d be wise to not let him have such clear chances today, right?
Manchester United
Just win, baby. Just win.
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Related items from Red Rants:
The_Philosopher (402)
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Moscow (147)
Stephen (146)
7 changes from the game on Thursday, hoping for a good game! Just win baby, just win
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@RedDevilEddy: Agreed this is a MUST win, we cannot drop points to sides like this.
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Man Utd: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Welbeck, Hernandez. Subs: Amos, Berbatov, Smalling, Park, Young, Fabio Da Silva, Rafael Da Silva.
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I’m hoping for a good performance by Scholesy, would be immense if our two veterans could show some proper football today!
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Arsenal are awful…
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@Stephen: Come again…
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@AndyCR7: Spurs must have put in their worst performance in history.
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@AndyCR7:
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Scholes, footballing genius.
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@Stephen: De Gea too..
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“This is embarrassing to say but I have cried twice in my life watching a football player. The first one was Maradona and the second was Ryan Giggs”
- Alessandro Del Piero
Congratulations Giggsy
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Substitute Welbeck already…
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Everyone playing us these days looking like Barcelona.
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Can’t say that equalizer wasn’t coming. Perhaps we can still win it…
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Ngog would have scored that header… and that tap in too!
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Legend, legend, legend. Should’ve known it’d be him to save the day.
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Giggsssss
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Welbeck is looking more and more like a carthorse – he let his team mates down big time today – he had gilt edged chances but no guilt edged finish – he is not quick enough in the box – Chicharito would have scored 2 and maybe a hat trick from the Welbeck chances, because Chicho is fleet footed and deft in the box. Sorry Danny but you are not a United type striker and you are still a homer, and do not put in enough industry in your all round play. Rest of the team too easily conceding possession AGAIN – they never learn. Trying to hang onto a lead instead of going for the jugular nearly cost us the 3 points, and why didn’t they play the whole second half like they did the last ten minutes – lazy little whatnots that’s why, and cowardly play. Jones played well today – got to give the lad that. Smalling should have got more game time with all those aerial balls coming in to our box. So celebrating the Giggs goal on his 900th game is it? Should have had 3 goals though Ryan, the one you scored was far harder than the two sitters you missed
.
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Welbeck missed good chances but he certainly played well today.Some of the balls only came to him because some of the senior players really didn’t wanna take responsibility.Also have to disagree with you on Chicha.Don’t think he gave a good account of himself today.The link up aspect of his game was just pathetic.Nani was anonymous today.By his own admission he really is not inform.Hope we can get Rooney for spurs.
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@vida dollar: Welbeck is useless in my opinion, I really cannot see what Fergie sees in him.
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@Stephen: Agreed, I think the fact that he is young and English makes him valuable to Fergie. Not United quality I’m afraid.
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@Moscow is my heaven: I simply don’t get him at all, for me is a younger Paulo WEanchope.
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Phew!!
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YOU FUCKING GORGEOUS WELSH BASTARD I LOVE YOU!!!!
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Leave Nani on bench for 10 games..
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@Owen: Nani never has a bad game, unlike that swine Rooney….
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@Stephen:
– couldn’t agree with you more Stephen mi man 
. How are you Stephen – not been around much myself – loads and loads of work with deadlines every one, but I won’t be complaining when the monetary rewards come in. Also can’t complain when self employed and continue to get work in these days of recession – blessing really as you yourself will know. What has happened to Groggy – has he pissed off away from us again? Groggy where are you mate?
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@Stephen: Seriously?
never? 
please 
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“A young Giggsy was like a Ballet Dancer. I had never seen a young player like that and I had seen the Busby Babes”
– Eric Harrison
LEGEND…
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With Liverpool loosing one nil, I bet King Kenny blames Evra…
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Also Henderson is awful, he maked Anderson look like Bryan Robson.
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Meanwhile in La Liga Ronaldo scored an outrageous backheel goal. Rayo Vallecano made it very difficult for Real Madrid and that flick was the difference in the game.
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@Andrei: Just watched it, holy shit
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@Andrei: Pity he left us really…..
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@Andrei: Rayo Vallecano is so unknown I thought it was a player.
Good for Ronaldo, but what you expect when it’s Men vs. Boys
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Late ratings:
De Gea: Best game in a United shirt? I counted three top saves, one good save, 3 picked off crosses, only 1 punch. Couldn’t do anything about goal. 8.5 — our MoM
Evra: allowed too many crosses (per normal). It’s really frustrating. With Giggs one the wing he was unable to come up much at all. 6.
Evans/Rio: Solid today. A bit risky with some of their passing. Poor defending on their goal (but that was a team-wide phenomena). 7/7
Jones: far more disciplined than normal and it showed in improved positioning on defense. 7
Nani: had an outstanding 40 minutes in the first half (joggling like a bau5!) then disappeared after the altercation with Canaries on the side-line… mentally he is weak. Was at the heart of most passing combos and first half chances, but having Jones on his wing did not help him on attack. Tough game for our best player… 6.5 [poor 2nd half:5 vs. great 1st half 8].
Scholes/Carrick: Did well in first 65 minutes. Carrick was immense and scholes gassed in the end, but it’s great (scary) to have him back. 7.5/8.
Giggs: Was really poor on the wing with more flicks than passes. Introduction of Young forced him center and he flourished. Created/had at least 3 chances in last 15 mins. Absolutely GENIUS! Should never be played out wide… ain’t got the boots for running. 7.5 [9 after being central, 5 on the wing].
Chicharito: was poor pretty much his entire time on the field. Offsides a couple times as well. However, would have loved to have him at 1-1. I think he would have scored a hattrick in last 8 minutes with the chances we were getting (and wasting). 5
Welbeck: Has great touch, movement, passing, dribbling, but can’t score when we need it. He had at least 3 golden opportunities that Chicharito would have eaten up [weak lob over GK, point blank header missed, weak 6-yard shot] and his final ball often lacks conviction/mustard/etc… he is too cute sometimes. Kudos for not diving despite ref not awarding obvious freekicks in his favor. If he can be more clinical, he will become a legend. 7 [low b/c he missed all those chances]
Young: may be rusty, but today was poor except for his pinpoint dangerous cross that Giggs royally took care off. He can cross, but is too weak on the ball — he needs to bulk up to survive at United. 6.5 [assist = 0.5 pts]
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Fergie: In the 2nd half we were 2nd best. That is amazing, considering we had just come out of the tunnel. What exactly does he do at halftime??? Then at 1-1, we have Berba on the bench… why not use him???? Huge chance he took but I guess it paid off… lucky boy!
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@Opti: Am especially pleased to hear de gea had a great game today. Ive stood by him for a while now, fully believing hes got what it takes to come good, and after a few weeks now of being on top form, im even more confident he’ll end up fulfilling his undoubted potential.
Its going to take time, and it’ll take more than some good saves against ajax and norwich to convince some, but as i said some weeks ago, i honestly believe his so called “errors” have been blown way out of proportion, and its been the defence in front of him thats let him down for much of the season.
Just typical english rags on the whole slating the kid for alot of things that really havent been major or entirely his fault. Just the way the press is here though unfortunately, it was the same with ronaldo, nani, vidic, evra, rafael and smalling too so nothing new there.
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Today was Ashley Young’s first assist since the Chelsea game in September.
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@RedDevilEddy: I read that Norwich had more attempts on goal than us… is that true?
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Any update on Cleverly scans etc – Rimmer, Eddi??????? I only got to watch the 2nd half of the game today, that’s how far behind I am. The scousers still no silverware – Suarez – hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha Man shitty fans were rejoicing down the pub – they thought we had shot ourselves in the foot again when Norwich equalised – their pub poznan was very short lived – however our United fan V signs at the end of game weren’t. I’m joking about the scousers not getting the silverware by the way – I like to tease to see if you are all awake.
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Cleverley said on twitter that his injury is not a serious one and that is on the other leg, not to the one previously injured. he should be back soon enough.
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@Daniele: Oh right – thanks Daniele!
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Didnt watch the game, but was relieved to hear we got the win. Nice way to end what has been a really awful week for my family, with my grandma sadly passing on last sunday.
It may only be a game of football to some, and i myself may go on massive rants about this club more often than i am positive about us, but some people honestly dont know what a major impact this club has on peoples lives. How even just watching a game, or hearing weve won can lift your spirits in an instant.
Only a truely great and special club can have that effect on you. So sorry for this sentimental emotional stuff, but just wanted to say thank you, and god bless you United for making my day today.
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@tonymontanna4united: My condolences go to you and your family mate
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@tonymontanna4united: Condolences, my man
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@RedDevilEddy: @Opti: Cheers fellas, much appreciated.
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Fair play to cardiff today aswell. Have got a few welsh relatives in my family who are big big cardiff fans, so was willing them on today. Unlucky with the result, but they can be proud of the way they played today, some of their play was really top class, and they managed to restrict liverpool to set pieces mainly as their only attacking threat.
Seriously if theres a more boring side than liverpool in the league then i need to see them, absolute rubbish today. Stoke number 2 or something, just annoys me our record is so poor against them at anfield, when to me, theyre just such a mediocre club in every aspect.
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Also, what is a good site for game statistics (for many teams). BBC says one thing, SkySports another (possession stats differ quite a bit).
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@Opti: OPTA!
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@RedDevilEddy: it ain’t free!
Premierleague.com seems decent enough.
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