Analysis: Norwich City 1 Manchester United 0

Premier League, Saturday 17^th November 2012

United stumbled to a third defeat of the season at Carrow Road with a stuttering performance. Norwich took a second-half lead, but unlike on so many other occasions this season, the retorting onslaught from United never came, and they succumbed to a loss. Here’s some brief analysis:

Norwich blunten United’s attack

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have not been short of goals this season, but at Carrow Road they drew a blank. Norwich City defended with superb organisation and prevented any clear United openings. Often with two banks of four behind the ball, Norwich offered no clear-cut opportunities for the Red Devils, who themselves failed to create any.

The Reds lacked any intensity in the game, and therefore made it easier for the Canaries to keep organised and concentrate. As is so often with United, the opposition has a much greater incentive and psychological drive to perform than the technically superior players in Red do. This showed at Carrow Road, as United simply failed to match the desire and drive shown by their counterparts. Had United moved the ball quicker and had a greater intensity to their game, it may have been that they dismantled the Norwich organisation. But as it was, Norwich defended well, and United created nought.

Wide players misfiring

United continued to suffer with average performances from their wingers against Norwich. On the left-side, Ashley Young once again showed his reluctance (or perhaps inability) to beat a man and was largely ineffective. The only threat from Young appeared to come late in the second-half when he moved right. Antonio Valencia was again also poor. The Ecuadorian gave little worry to the Norwich defence by offering a very limited direct threat. On the few occasions Valencia did actually cross a ball, the crosses themselves were woeful and gave the Red strikers little chance.

These wide-player performances against Norwich were certainly untimely. Norwich themselves are a narrow team with the potential for being exposed on the wings. Had United’s wingers been more potent and on their game, then perhaps this match may have seen a different result.

Going Forward

This game was a typical example of United failing to match the opposition intensity, and suffering the consequences. A disjointed team display didn’t break down an organised Norwich and paid the price. It can only be assumed that this will act as a motive in the coming games.

Ratings

[4-4-2]: Lindegaard-6, Rafael-7*, Smalling-7, Ferdinand-6, Evra-6, Valencia-5, Carrick-5, Giggs-6, Young-6, van Persie-5, Hernandez-6

(Scholes-6, Welbeck-6, Anderson-6)

*Man of the match