Man Utd Match Centre

Norwich vs Man Utd Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man & Predicted Score

Manchester United take on Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their recent winning streak to six games. Here’s a preview.

by
Football Talk
December 27, 2013

Manchester United take on Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their recent winning streak to six games.

The defending champions have won their last five in all competitions including their last three in the Premier League to move to within five points of the top four, and they will be hoping to close that gap further this weekend.

David Moyes side have been excellent on the road in recent weeks with United unbeaten in their last 10 matches away from Old Trafford, so should to head to East Anglia full of confidence.

Norwich on the other hand are in awful form having won just three times since October and head into the game sitting 14th in the table, just three points above the drop zone.

Chris Hughton will be looking for a response from his players after they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Boxing Day, while United came from 2-down to beat Hull City 3-2.

Team News

Norwich are set to give midfielder Jonny Howson a late fitness test after he recovered from a back injury that’s kept him out of the last two games, but he is expected to be passed fit.

Chris Hughton will certainly be without the services of defender Michael Turner after he picked up his fifth booking of the season against Fulham and will therefore serve a one-match ban.

United are expected to be without Rafael after the defender was forced off against Hull with a groin injury. Chris Smalling could switch to right-back with Nemanja Vidic coming back in to the centre of defence.

Phil Jones has been ruled out for two weeks with a knee injury so Michael Carrick could start having come off the bench last time out.

Antonio Valencia will serve a one-match ban after being shown a red card against the Tigers so Nani could come back in, while Moyes may also recall the likes of Shinji Kagawa and Adnan Januzaj to keep his side fresh.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Wayne Rooney: The striker was key the United’s comeback against Hull with his stunning volley setting the champions on their way to victory. Rooney will be the player Norwich will have to stop of they want to take anything away from the game.