Manchester United 2 Norwich 0: Stuart Mathieson's verdict

Anderson heads home United's opener

Can you remember how United played in their 2-0 Old Trafford victory against Wigan last November? I cant, and I suspect most people wont instantly recall how the Reds performed to beat Roberto Martinezs side.

I checked back and it was described as one that didnt set the pulses racing and at one stage in the unmemorable display Old Trafford was losing its patience with the Reds.

The point is that the minutia of the 90 minutes has been largely forgotten, confined to history and United went on to win the Premier League title.

So who really cares that on occasions it took a dull scrap to win the points that ultimately secured the silverware?

A title-winning season is made up of a multitude of differing displays ranging from the sublime to the stupefying.

Every single one of Uniteds title campaigns will have contained uninspiring affairs where the Reds have scraped home by the skin of their teeth.

This is how Norwich Citys visit will be remembered or rather forgotten by the end of the season if the Reds retain their crown.

It could, however, have been very different.

Had Paul Lamberts side matched some of their slick counter-attacking with clinical finishing United could have been summarily embarrassed.

And you have to wonder what has happened to the early-season searing form and goal frenzy that suggested United were in the mood to obliterate all comers.

Eight of this side dismissed Chelsea, and seven were on starting duty to wipe the floor with Bolton last month.

The common denominator in the draws against Stoke and Basle looked to be the absence of Wayne Rooney.

But he was back against Norwich having recovered from his injury, ! but even he couldnt turn a workmanlike, gritty performance into the kind of swashbuckling effort that destroyed Arsenal.

Sir Alex Fergusons post-Basle call for his side to stop being too cavalier might have been taken on board a bit too stringently.

But even tempering the adventure didnt fully cure the Reds' defensive deficiencies of late.

Had it not been for the fact that the hugely impressive Phil Jones was in a stubborn, determined mood Norwich could have sent their celebrity directors Delia Smith and Stephen Fry into raptures in the VIP seats.

The cook and the wordsmith would have been enjoying this far more than a distinctly stern looking Fergie was - even though Fry allegedly fell asleep!

Uniteds more expansive displays this season have all, bar the 3-0 win against Spurs, been built on an early, or at least first-half goal.

When the Reds have been in front before the interval, they have cut loose.

Breakthrough

But at no point in a dreary first half did they come seriously close to making the breakthrough that could ultimately have seen Norwich put to the sword.

After an hour lacking creation and punch, Fergie decided the guile of Ryan Giggs and the new menace of Danny Welbeck was called for.

Ultimately, the two subs were to have a say in dragging the Reds through.

But a minute after their arrival their job was almost made twice as hard.

In Fridays pre-match press conference Fergie had been unable to recall Anthony Pilkingtons time as a Red trainee.

Not surprisingly really since it was an inauspicious and brief spell in 2004-05.

The Reds boss wondered if the questioner had mixed the Norwich player up with one-time young United keeper Kevin Pilkington.

Well, the Canary almost made sure Fergie never forgot him.

Antonio Valencia messed about in possession and was robbed ! by Kevin s namesake.

It set him up for a one-on-one with Anders Lindegaard.

The Dane didnt even have to make a save as Pilkington dragged a poor effort wide.

Three minutes after that reprieve the Reds woke up and proved the value of taking chances when they are so rare.

Giggs corner was flicked back by Jones header and Rooney rose to knock on with his head. Anderson joined the game of head tennis to lift his attempt home.

As if to emphasise the probable feeling amongst Norwich fans that their luck wasnt in, Pilkington then saw another effort deflect off Anderson and hit a post.

The rebound off the woodwork fell nicely into Lindegaards gloves and United escaped another uncomfortable moment.

Danny Welbeck had reason to be a bit miffed having been demoted to the bench despite scoring twice against Basel in the Champions League in midweek.

But when he was asked to come on against Norwich, he couldnt wait to get on.

Uniteds clincher couldnt have been scored by anyone more appropriate as local-lad Welbeck as he finished off Ji-sung Parks assist to keep United top of the table.

What is your verdict? Have your say.

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