Match Preview: Manchester United vs Norwich City

Modified Apr 25, 2014 04:01 GMT

Ryan-Giggs-Manchester-United-Interim-Manager

Manchester United vs Norwich CityDate: 26th April, 2014Venue: Old Trafford, ManchesterReferee: Lee ProbertKick off time: 22:00 IST, 17:30 GMT

New interim manager Ryan Giggs has promised to play the ‘Manchester United way’

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

Sat	22/03/14	Norwich City	2 – 0	Sunderland
Sat	29/03/14	Swansea City	3 – 0	Norwich City
Sat	05/04/14	Norwich City	0 – 1	West Bromwich …
Sat	12/04/14	Fulham	1 – 0	Norwich City
Sun	20/04/14	Norwich City	2 – 3	Liverpool