Manchester United keep their Champions League hopes alive as they edge past Norwich City in an insipid encounter at Carrow Road. Juan Mata scored the solitary goal of the game in the 71st minute after Sebastian Bassong erred in judging the flight of the ball.
The defeat takes The Canaries closer to the doors of relegation. Alex Neil and his boys failed to kick-on against a flat Manchester United side which looked devoid of intensity.
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Norwich City
John Ruddy – 6/10
The English shot-stopper must be feeling hard done by his central defenders to let such a slip when the game was very much poised for a 0-0 draw. Did nothing wrong in his 90 minutes on the pitch.
Ivo Pinto – 6/10
It was an average game for the Portuguese against an off-color Memphis. He held his own against the pace of Dutchman.
Russell Martin – 6/10
The Norwich skipper was solid for the most part of the game. It was an unlucky day for him in office.
Sebastian Bassong – 5/10
Despite shutting out Rooney for almost 70 minutes of the game, he will not be fondly remembered by the Norwich fans. It was his monumental error which gave Rooney the chance to get behind the hosts’ defence to set up Juan Mata for the goal.
Martin Olsson – 6/10
The Swede had a good first half but was unable to cope-up with the double salvo from Valencia and Mata in the second half.
Nathan Redmond – 6/10
He had his moments in the game but couldn’t capitalize on them due to United’s sturdy defensive organization.
Gary O’Neil 6/10
He was virtually non-existent in the second half where Norwich sat too deep to concede ground in the midfield. Had a decent first half though.
Jonny Howson – 6/10
He did well to shackle Michael Carrick in the midfield with his positioning and pressing. But sadly, he lost the plot in the last quarter of the game.
Robbie Brady – 6/10
The wingback did track back to help his team out defensively but was woeful in the final third especially against defensively weak fullbacks of Manchester United.
Wes Hoolahan – 6.5/10
The Canaries veteran was one of the few players for the home side to put up some fight against a lethargic United side.
Cameron Jerome – 5/10
He was wasteful as usual to keep Manchester United in the game. His presence shows Norwich’s lack of attacking prowess.
Substitutes
Dieumerci Mbokani – 5/10
The top scorer of the side was so woeful that it was hard to believe that he is a Premier League level striker. He had hardly any impact on the game.
Patrick Bamford – 6/10
Played a handful of minutes to make any substantial impact on the game. Although, he was more lively than the senior forwards present on the field.
Graham Dorrans – 6/10
He too, like his colleagues failed to inspire his side to salvage side something from this lost cause.
Manchester United
David De Gea – 7/10
The Manchester United Player of the Year proved why he is winning that award for past three seasons. He was at his imperious best to keep United in the game as well as in the race for the top four.
Antonio Valencia – 6.5/10
Valencia came to life in the second half with his buccaneering runs down the right flank. He was sound defensively as well.
Chris Smalling – 7/10
He cannot put a foot wrong! It has been that kind of season for the English defender for his club. He was at his sturdy best to keep Norwich forwards at bay.
Marcos Rojo – 6/10
The Argentine playing in place of Daley Blind looked a bit shaky and haphazard for most of the first half but got his act together in second half of the game.
Matteo Darmian – 6/10
It has been a rough debut season for the Italian in England. He was looking good before he was stretchered off the pitch.
Michael Carrick – 5/10
It seems age has finally caught up with the midfield veteran or he has lost his will to play under Louis van Gaal. It was a very torrid display from the former Spurs midfielder.
Wayne Rooney – 6.5/10
He too, like Carrick was having a shocker of a game until he made amends by capitalizing on the Sebastian Bassong’s error. It was his experience and poise which bailed United out at the Carrow Road.
Juan Mata – 6.5/10
He is a victim of Louis van Gaal’s bizarre tactics. It was a game which demanded his creativity and vision from the centre but was shunted out on the right flank. Despite all this, the little Spaniard shone through and scored what can prove to be a vital goal in the race for Champions League qualification.
Jesse Lingard – 6/10
He did well to hold his own against the burly Norwich midfielders but he could’ve been more effective with his pace on the right wing. His work-rate is also praiseworthy.
Memphis Depay – 5/10
It has been a forgettable season for the Dutch winger in Manchester. Today was no different.
Ander Herrera – 6/10
He was drafted in the team due to Martial’s late injury and took a while to stamp himself on the game. Luckily, his mistakes went unpunished despite being adventurous in the second half.
Substitutes
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson – 6.5/10
The Young Player of the Year did well to deputize for the injured Darmian. He is continuing his dream run.
Morgan Schneiderlin – 6/10
He was brought on to shut the shop for the last quarter of the game and did what his gaffer had asked of him.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah - NA
Barely played any minutes to make an impact on the game.
