Manchester United's second post-Christmas fixture was another away tie, this time against Norwich. Chris Hughton's side had struggled so far in December, losing their last match 2-1 at home to struggling Fulham and only securing one win in their five festive fixtures, a 2-0 victory away at West Brom on December 7th. United, on the other hand, were beginning to put a decent run together after coming from 2-0 down to defeat Hull 3-2 two days ago. A win against the Canaries would give them a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions, a streak that could potentially silence some critics.
United were without Antonio Valencia as he was sent off against Hull, he would have missed the match regardless though as he picked up a fifth booking of the season. Rafael Da Silva and Phil Jones were both ruled out with injuries but the biggest surprise was the absence of Wayne Rooney, who didn't make the trip to Norfolk after picking up a knock. Javier Hernandez took his place in the line up whilst Shinji Kagawa, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick were also handed starting places. Norwich's absentees included Michael Turner (suspended), Elliot Bennett and Anthony Pilkington. Ryan Bennett came in at centre-back with Russell Martin at right back and Gary Hooper leading the home team's attack ahead of their five-man midfield.
The away side dominated possession early on but struggled to carve out any decent chances. However, they did force a save from Ruddy In the fifth minute after good work from Young in space down the right saw his cross eventually find Kagawa near the far post. The Japanese international then sent an ambitious effort towards goal from a tight angle that had to be parried away by the Canaries' stopper.
After soaking up the pressure for fifteen minutes, Norwich then created an opening themselves after Evra was caught napping and allowed Martin to make a run from in behind the Frenchman. Snodgrass threaded a neat ball through to the right-back whose strong hit had to be forced away by De Gea. It then fell to Hoolahan who had an empty net to aim for but his touch was poor and his lack of control saw the ball gone, along with the opportunity.
Norwich began to look the side more likely to score as minutes later they tested De Gea again, this time with a shot from Hooper. It was more good build-up play from the home side with Snodgrass and Martin linking up nicely for the second time. The former crossed for Hooper in the centre of the box who hit it first time, it was straight at De Gea though and the Spaniard got both hands to it to palm it out for his defence to clear.
Norwich finished the half on top too, as they caused problems in and around the box, keeping the ball well and waiting for an opportunity to shoot. Two excellent blocks from Evans ensured United maintained their clean sheet before the break, the second block in particular was vital in stopping Hoolahan's shot from making it towards goal after he had wriggled his way past Carrick and Evra in the box.
United did create one chance of note at the end of the first half when Young ran at the Norwich defence and set Hernandez through on goal. However the Mexican seemed unsure if he was onside or not and sent a weak shot straight into the hands of Ruddy. There was still time for another Norwich attack too, with Evra yet again left behind as the impressive Martin got past him and set up Snodgrass just outside the box. His shot went wide though and the whistle went to end a goalless half, although Norwich should really have been ahead.
Clearly noticing an issue in midfield, where Norwich's fluid passing had caused endless problems in the first half, Moyes made a change at half time and replaced Giggs with Welbeck. United started the second half better than they ended the first and their brightest attacking outlet so far Young sent a shot just over the bar after a lovely mazy run from midfield to the edge of the area. Norwich were still exploiting the space United left in the wide areas though as Hoolahan got the better of Evans just outside the box and fed in Redmond on the left whose cross was well hit but just whistled past the far post.
Unfortunately for Hughton's men, they were left to rue their missed chances as United got a goal against the run of play. A throw-in from Smalling started the move as Hernandez's touch put the ball into Welbeck's possession, who took the ball away from Bassong on his way towards goal. Bennett then tried to clear but the ball bounced back off Welbeck and then against Hernandez before it fell into the path of Welbeck again, which left him one-on-one with Ruddy. The England striker then rounded the Norwich keeper and calmly finished for his fourth goal in as many league games and to give United a surprise lead at Carrow Road.
Hernandez tested Ruddy late on with a drive from range after a good cross from Evra whilst Norwich sub Murphy sent a shot over at the other end after some wonderful build up play involving Redmond and Hoolahan. It wasn't enough though as United managed to see the game out and secure a hard-fought victory against a Norwich side that performed admirably throughout. It was a harsh blow for them after they had played so well, with an important away match against Crystal Palace to come on New Year's Day. United host Tottenham at home for their first fixture of 2014 and will be hoping for the return of Wayne Rooney to avoid another poor home performance after this match where Norwich were unlucky not to come away with at least a point.
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