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Manchester United vs Norwich CityDate: 26th April, 2014Venue: Old Trafford, ManchesterReferee: Lee ProbertKick off time: 22:00 IST, 17:30 GMT
A new dawn, a new beginning awaits Manchester United as they take on a relegation threatened Norwich City at Old Trafford. After David Moyes’ reign was unceremoniously ended just 10 months into a 6-year contract, United will be more than glad to take to the field again following a week in the media glare.Interim manager Ryan Giggs along with Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt as part of his coaching staff, will look to demonstrate his managerial credentials and have his lads play in the “Manchester United way” for the remainder of the season. After a dismal campaign so far where United have won five and lost three of their last eight Premier League games going into this one, Giggs will want to improve his side’s form as much as he can.Fortunately in his first game in charge, United take on a Norwich side who under new boss Neil Adams, have lost both of their games and are on the verge of falling back into the Championship. They’ve lost five of their last six games but put in a very impressive performance in a 2-3 loss to Liverpool at home last week. Norwich will have to put in a performance of a similar intensity to the Liverpool one, to stave off Fulham and Sunderland battling against them to beat the drop.
Team News
Manchester UnitedNew manager, new coaching staff, so expect a new United side. Disastrous form aside, Giggs has claimed that United will revert to playing in the free flowing way as they did under Sir Alex Ferguson. A huge dilemma would be whether to continue fielding Juan Mata, a Moyes signing who hasn’t exactly set the stadium on fire but has been in good form. With captain Nemanja Vidic, Rafael, RVP still out and Patrice Evra facing a late fitness test, United should field a similar back four to the one they did in the 2-0 loss to Everton. A 4-4-2 should be expected with midfielders urged to push forward and focus on wide play again.
Norwich CityNorwich City are likely to have defender Joseph Yobo and midfielder Andrew Surman as the only absentees and the Cannaries are expected to field a similar starting XI that featured last week against Liverpool.
Injuries and Suspensions
Manchester United
| P Evra | Knee Injury | no return date | |||
| Rafael | Hamstring Injury | no return date | |||
| R Van Persie | Knee Injury | no return date |
Nemanja Vidic is also expected to be out with a knock.
Norwich City
| J Yobo | Calf/Shin Injury | no return date | ||
| E Bennett | Knee Injury | 26th Apr 14 |
Expected Lineups
Manchester United (4-4-1-1/4-4-2):De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Evans, Evra; Young, Carrick, Cleverley, Valencia; Mata; Rooney
Norwich City(4-4-2)Ruddy; Whittaker, Turner, Martin, Olsson; Fer, Johnson, Howson, Snodgross; Hooper, Redmond
Form Guide:
Manchester United(Recent last) – WDWLL
| Sat | 29/03/14 | PRL | Manchester United | 4 – 1 | Aston Villa | ||
| Wed | 02/04/14 | UCL | Manchester United | 1 – 1 | Bayern München | ||
| Sat | 05/04/14 | PRL | Newcastle United | 0 – 4 | Manchester United | ||
| Thu | 10/04/14 | UCL | Bayern München | 3 – 1 | Manchester United | ||
| Sun | 20/04/14 | PRL | Everton | 2 – 0 | Manchester United |
Norwich City(Recent last) – WLLLL
Previous Meetings:
28 December, 2013: Norwich City 0-1 Manchester United (EPL)2nd March, 2013: Manchester United 4-0 Norwich City (EPL)
Prediction: Manchester United 3-0 Norwich City
Telecast: Star Sports HD 2 and Star Sports 4
