Analysis: Manchester United 4 Norwich City 0

Premier League, Saturday 2^nd March 2013

Manchester United saw off Norwich City with an eventually comfortable 4-0 victory on Saturday. Shinji Kagawa scored a hat-trick with a masterclass of superb timing and sublime finishing, before Wayne Rooney rounded off the game with a 25 yard ‘thronker’. Here is some analysis on the game:

Clean sheets

United have now kept four consecutive clean sheets in the league, and not conceded more than one goal in any match since 5^th January. There are arguably several reasons for this, some of which were witnessed against Norwich. Firstly, luck plays its part. In the early part of the season when United were conceding regularly, the goals were often different and not due to one single defensive factor. Recently though United appear to be getting more luck defensively, something that was evident as Norwich spurned two good chances, one early on with an over-hit cross, and one in the second half when the Canaries player spooned a good opportunity over the bar. Luck is always vital in top level football, and United are getting it defensively at the moment.

There are perhaps two more reasons for United’s increased defensive solidity. Firstly, the return of Nemanja Vidic has brought an aerial presence and organisational ability that has further secured the team, even despite the excellent performances of Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans. Secondly, better midfield displays have protected the back four more. The continuing excellence of Michael Carrick has shielded the defence, and the more frequent absence of the defensively-lacking Paul Scholes have certainly contributed to better defending. There are of course other reasons for United’s better defensive record in recent weeks too, and it can only be hoped that such a record continues.

A different kind of left wing

United’s tactical set-up against Norwich featured a common quirk that has been witnessed throughout this season and some of last: a flexible left winger. In contrast to the touchline-hugging Antonio Valencia on the right, the more flexible Shinji Kagawa, and later Danny Welbeck, played on the left. Both would look to cut inside often and join in to form a three man strikeforce. The ‘cutting inside’ of both players also allows one of United’s strikers to come wide in order to stretch and force the opposition defence out of position. This flexibility no doubt contributed to United’s goals against a stubborn Norwich defence. Interestingly, Kagawa’s first goal yesterday, and Danny Welbeck’s only Premier League goal this season, have both come when each player has come centrally from a left-sided position. No doubt the underrated excellence of Patrice Evra at left full-back helps to make such a flexible set-up possible.

Going Forward

Manchester United can be happy with again picking up three points and giving their goal difference a helping hand. Again, this was not a vintage performance, but not every game will be. The selection from Sir Alex Ferguson may give some indication to the team he will pick for Tuesday’s massive encounter with Real Madrid. One thing for sure though is that United will be going into that game in real form.

Ratings

[4-4-2]: De Gea-7, Smalling-6, Evans-7, Vidic-6, Evra-7, Valencia-7, Carrick-8*, Anderson-6, Kagawa-8, Rooney-7, van Persie-6

(Welbeck-7, Cleverley-6)

*Man of the match