Manchester United 1-2 Norwich City: Five Talking Points

Alex Neil orchestrated a magnificent display as newly promoted Norwich City recorded a famous 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Cameron Jerome opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half before Alexander Tettey doubled their lead early into the second period of the game. The Red Devils did get a goal back through Golden Boy winner Anthony Martial, but could never push on to salvage something out of the game.

#1 Alex Neil dishes out a perfect game plan

Alex Neil oversaw a historic win for Norwich City at Old Trafford

United were easily the brighter of the two sides in the first period of the game and they launched several attacks towards the Norwich goal to set Old Trafford buzzing. However, Norwich manager Alex Neil had other ideas. The youngest manager in the league put his trust in the Canaries’ defense as he decided to sit back and play deep against their overwhelming opponents. With the Red Devils launching multiple attacks on goal, Alex Neil was clearly waiting to catch his opponent on the counter-attack.

And that is exactly what happened. One of the several attacks from the Red Devils saw Ashley Young's cross being cleared by the Norwich defense. Nathan Redmond and Cameron Jerome linked up brilliantly to score at the Stretford End against the run of play. Buoyed on by the effervescent crowd in the search for the equalizer, United again started decently in the second period of the game. But the surreal occasion never really got the better of the Canaries as they pounced on a misunderstanding between Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney to secure a two goal cushion early into the second half.

#2 Returning players provide mixed impact

Wayne Rooney's 500^th appearance for United took an unfortunate turn

Manchester United were depleted in various departments over the last few weeks with the loss of several key players due to injuries. Winless in five games, the Red Devils welcomed back certain influential figures back into the line-up.

Club captain Wayne Rooney, who missed the last three matches owing to an ankle problem, returned to make his 500^th appearance for the club. Rooney was struggling for form this season and the injury might have just proved to be a much-needed refresher for the England international before the busy Christmas schedule. The 30-year old, playing as the lone striker, put in a decent show finding nice pockets of spaces inside the box more often than not. He also turned provider on several occasions and his perfectly weighed balls proved to be a menace for the Norwich defense.

Midfielder Ander Herrera, making his first appearance after suffering a hamstring injury, came off the bench in the second half to a rousing reception from the Old Trafford faithful. The Spaniard, however, looked a little stiff and could never really influence the game as the hosts tried to overcome their two goal deficit.

United's central defensive partnership of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones also came back to the starting after their respective injuries to form a solid partnership at the heart of the United defense. However, they were unable to do deal with the attacking threat of Alex Neil's side on the counter during both instances of the goals.

#3 Wrong players in wrong positions leaking goals

Marouane Fellain and Daley Blind were poor in their adjusted roles

The 20-time Premier League champions suffered a third defeat in a row, which has already set the alarm bells ringing in the red side of Manchester. United have let in as many as seven goals during this losing streak- something that seems baffling for the tightest defense in the league so far. A closer look at the shape of the team reveals how resorting to a single defensive midfielder has been leaking goals for Louis van Gaal's men.

With Bastian Schweinsteiger serving his three-game ban, Van Gaal, surprisingly, has looked to keep faith in Marouane Fellaini in the midfield alongside Michael Carrick. But, the big Belgian has hardly been influential at the center of the pitch as he has been at the apex of the attack and also has been the culprit of giving away the ball way too easily on several occasions.

Frenchman Morgan Schneiderlin, a player for which United spend plenty this summer, is probably the best the central defensive midfielder in the entire United squad, but the 25-year old has been forced to warm the bench over the last few weeks. Injuries to Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo have pushed Daley Blind on the flanks, breaking up his successful partnership with Chris Smalling at the heart of the United defense. With multiple games line up over the next few weeks, it would be absolutely necessary that the Red Devils fill up loopholes in their defense if they are to turn this wretched run around.

#4 Giggs on the touchline, Keane out

Ryan Giggs tried to change things from the touchline, to no avail

After the best defence in the league gave away a two goal lead early into the second half, United's hopes of salvaging something out of the game looked even bleaker. Louis van Gaal must have clearly not been hoping to let in a second goal after his team's positive start following the break.

Assistant manager Ryan Giggs, then, took it upon himself to drop into the technical area to try and help the hosts turn around the two goal deficit. United's most decorated player, who has been touted by van Gaal as his long term successor, tried his best to control the game from the sidelines for the majority of the second half. The Red Devils certainly looked to have a got a new lease of life as their persistence finally paid off to garner a goal during the middle of the second period.

Uniteds former captain Roy Keane, who watched from the stands, however, did not seem pretty impressed by the performance of his club as he marched out in the middle of the second half showing his displeasure inUnited's altered style of play.

#5 Pressure mounts on van Gaal

With Mourinho available, how long can LvG last?

Winless in as many as six games, the results are definitely not what would have been expected out of Louis van Gaal and Manchester United. If the Champions League exit was not enough, United have also dropped out of the top four for the first time this season with this loss, be it only on goal difference with Tottenham Hotspur.

After the sacking of Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal had already admitted that he might suffer the same fate if results did not go his way. And at the moment, the death knell for van Gaal is near if not there yet. The brand of football being dished out by the 64-year old is also not being taken too well by the fans. With his favored ball possession amounting to nothing but draws and losses, it is absolutely essential that the United boss turns things around quickly to keep the United hierarchy by his side.

A hectic Christmas schedule will provide no respite for van Gaal and the experienced Dutch manager needs to pull his socks up after this loss if he is to avoid what has transpired with his Portuguese counterpart.