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Manchester United built on their impressive performance against Liverpool with their first win in six games and finally, the first away win for Manchester United since the dramatic comeback against PSG. While the performance against Partizan was not the best, the result mattered more as United currently top the group. Now United will continue their spell of away games against Norwich before making trips south to Chelsea and Bournemouth next week.
Here’s all you need to know for match:
Teams: Norwich City vs Manchester United
Stadium: Carrow Road
Date: Sunday 27th October 2019
KO Time: 16:30 GMT
Managers: Daniel Farke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Referee: Stewart Atwell
Team News:
Norwich City should have Ben Godfrey and Onel Hernandez despite the former coming off at half time against Bournemouth and the latter still in some pain from his latest injury. Goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann, midfielder Mario Vrancic and defenders Christoph Zimmermann Timm Klose and Grant Hanley remain out. Manchester United have similar problems with Paul Pogba seemingly out as well as defenders Diogo Dalot, Axel Tuanzebe, Tim Fosu-Mensah and Eric Bailly. Nemanja Matic and Luke Shaw are being assessed ahead of Sunday’s clash and David de Gea should be ready to return after missing the trip to Belgrade.
Form:
Norwich have not won since the middle of September after a shock victory against the reigning champions, Manchester City. Since that point they have shifted nine goals in four games and only scored once and sit nineteenth in the league. Interestingly, United haven’t won in the league since that same matchday in which Rashford won the game with an early penalty against Leicester City but have had comparably awful form to Norwich drawing twice to Arsenal and Liverpool, a penalty shootout win against Rochdale, defeats to West Ham and Newcastle as well as below-par performances in the Europa League despite winning 2/3 games with clean sheets in all three and topping the group.
Interesting Facts:
- Marcus Rashford is one goal away from reaching his half-century and Manchester United are one goal off their 2000th in the Premier League.
- Juan Mata has an excellent record against Norwich scoring five goals and a brace of assists in eight appearances
- United have not scored more than one goal in a single match since their 4-0 win on the opening day and haven’t done so away from home since the PSG comeback in March and not so since
- In his last four starts, Anthony Martial has scored three times and assisted once
- Teemu Pukki has failed to score or assist in his last four games since scoring six and assisting two in his first five but he still has a higher tally than anyone at Manchester United
Predicted Lineup:
United may decide to revert back to a back four to make way for Anthony Martial’s return at no.9 which, while altering the tactical masterclass against Liverpool that neutralised the fullbacks, would show more attacking intent and willingness to put Norwich to the sword. I suggest United should make two changes to the side that performed admirably against Liverpool in which, if Shaw is still unfit, Brandon Williams should start ahead of Ashley Young after his man of the match performance against Partizan as he has shown himself to be able to attack with purpose and defend with composure. The second should be Martial at no.9 for Marcos Rojo and then James on the left and Rashford on the right in a fluid front three that can carve through Norwich with pace and guile. So my lineup would be:
De Gea (c), Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Williams, McTominay, Fred, Rashford, Pereira, James, Martial
Predicted Score:
Manchester United on their day can slice through this team with ease and after such a promising performance against Liverpool, I see no reason for United to push on, knowing this game could make their season or sink them to an even more embarrassing league position and possibly lose their manager. You would hope the team turns up at such a crucial point and not only wins but wins emphatically. I am optimistic of that happening so I’m going for a 0-3 United win.
