Manchester United has David De Gea to thank for keeping them in the game after Ronaldo's penalty goal was the difference between the two sides at Carrow Road. It wasn't a convincing performance from Manchester United who had almost all their players off form in this game save De Gea and the impressive Fred who was all over the pitch, pressing.
Norwich had most of their starting lineup out due to Covid and still, they showed more grit, more fight and more determination in a match everyone expected Manchester United to win easily, on paper. Norwich showed character as they continue their fight to climb up the table from the bottom spot.
United had the first real chance of the game in the 14th minute after a freekick was won at the edge of the box. Alex Telles stepped up and his effort was deflected off Josh Sargent onto the crossbar. United had another freekick shout in the 24th minute after Rashford claimed to have been pulled as he was racing to the ball just outside the box but the referee was having none of it.
Norwich conducted themselves well and they pressed just as United pressed which made it hard for United to get a free-flowing football as they would have expected. Pukki should have done better after he was found inside the box but his touch was heavy as he couldn't wrap his foot around the ball and the danger was cleared.
Diogo Dalot had a tame shot at the edge of the box in the 29th minute which didn't threaten Tim Krul that much. Ronaldo hoped to get a touch on it but he couldn't. Ronaldo should have given United the lead in the 37th minute after he failed to hit his shot the first time. He cut back before unleashing a curling effort which didn't threaten the goalkeeper that much.
Norwich came close a few times but they lacked that extra touch to get the ball over the line because United defence dealt with them and a notable one was from Josh Sargent inside the box in the 40th minute as he was unable to sort out his feet on time.
United had another chance just before halftime after Sancho's delivery into the box was met with a glancing and looping header which would have dropped into the back of the net if not for the alertness of Tim Krul who bundled it over for a corner kick.
Norwich started the second half just as they frustrated United and if not for a finishing that let Placheta down in the 47th minute, after beating his marker, he should have scored but his shot lacked power and accuracy.
De Gea came to United's rescue in the 57th minute after he got a touch to a brilliant effort from Pukki that was destined for the top left corner of the net. Norwich piled up the pressure and it almost paid off in the 59th minute after a header from Sorensen almost dropped inside the net but for a slight touch from De Gea and it went clipping the top of the bar.
The turning point of the game came in the 73rd minute after Scott McTominay's delivery into the box caused Aarons to pull down Ronaldo. The referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot. Ronaldo stepped up and sent Tim Krul the wrong way to give United the lead in the 74th minute.
Norwich almost responded immediately in the 77th minute when Ozan Kabak connected with a delivery into the box from a freekick delivery and De Gea expertly got his strong right hand to stop the ball from going into the back of the net.
Gilmour had a double strike blocked off in the 82nd minute after the initial strike was blocked by Dalot after being set up just outside the box and his rebound was blocked for a corner kick by Bailly. Norwich doing everything to get something out of the game but they can't find that stroke of luck.
Another shocking moment came for United who were sloppy all match long in the 86th minute after Rashford ran the length of the field to set up Ronaldo inside the box but Ronaldo shocking put his effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy. You would expect better from a player like Ronaldo in that kind of position.
Thank you for your time.
My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.
Still me,
My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.
Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.
153.060 SRY0