Manchester United v Norwich City

1. Man Utd XI: De Gea, Young, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Carrick, Fellaini, Memphis, Mata, Martial, Rooney
2. Norwich XI: Rudd, Martin, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson, Redmond, O'Neil, Tettey, Brady, Hoolahan, Jerome

FULL-TIME

Reuters

First victory at Old Trafford for Norwich for 26 years.

Where does Louis van Gaal go from here?

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CLOSE!

CHRIS SMALLINGGGG!! 

Nope.

Juan Mata's through pass is inch-perfect and the United centre-back heads wide. Chance gone.

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A Manchester United fan yawns in the stands. It's been more exciting, but an impending defeat they were not expecting.

Chris Sutton

Former Chelsea & Norwich striker on Final Score

"Anthony Marital scored because he was in the box, but he's spent most of the game out wide.

"Manchester United have not thrown enough caution to the wind today. There has been no bodies in the box, and Norwich have had the greater threat going forward."

90 minutes up.

FOUR MINUTES for Louis van Gaal to save his Manchester United career.

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'It's just not good enough'

Danny Mills

Former Man City defender, Final Score

Reuters

"United have had all the possession today, but with two shots on target in the entire game it's just not good enough."  

The vast Sir Alex Ferguson stand quickly starting to empty. They've lost faith. Doesn't look like an equaliser is coming.

Wayne Rooney flashes a cutback across the box and gave his team-mate Memphis Depay no chance of getting on the end of it.

Another minute ebbs away. Is this the final few minutes of Louis van Gaal's tenure at Manchester United?

Four minutes left. Is there a grand stand finish on the cards?

Louis van Gaal decides to stay in his seat and instead it's Ryan Giggs who is on the touchline barking out instructions to the players.

Will they respond?

GREAT SAVE!

Has David de Gea just saved Louis van Gaal's job? Well, Manchester United still need a goal, but the Spaniard has kept out Youssuf Mulumbu's low strike which was heading into the bottom corner.

Time ticking away.

Manchester United continue to pass, pass, pass their way towards the opposition area.

Time to lump it up and pick off the scraps, no?

Eight minutes remaining. Can Norwich hold on for a famous result?

SUBSTITUTION

Double change for Norwich.

Gary O'Neil and goalscorer Cameron Jerome come off, while Youssuf Mulumbu and Dieumerci Mbokani enter the fray.

GREAT SAVE!

...but Declan Rudd gets across to push away Juan Mata's curling free-kick which was heading for the back of the net.

An important save which keeps his team in the game.

Juan Mata strikes it...

Juan Mata stands over the free-kick...

Another glorious ball into the Norwich area and again no Manchester United player on the end of it.

This time Ashley Young's cross from the right goes all the way across the box.

Second later, Anthony Martial wins a free-kick on the edge of the box for Manchester United...

See previous update. What a prospect that would be and if the result stays this way, it's not out of the question.

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Tense at Old Trafford now. The next goal either gets United a point or wins it for Norwich.

Roy Keane sat in the stands has had enough and makes his way out of the stadium.

Ashley Young's cross is punched away by Declan Rudd, but it falls to Daley Blind, whose volley deflects away for a corner...which comes to nothing.

Norwich break clear but can't nick a goal this time.

End to end stuff at Old Trafford. This is more like the games we are used to seeing Manchester United competing in.

Scrappy but it's one United won't mind.

Frenchman Anthony Martial sees his initial shot blocked, but keeps his composure to fire in and the Red Devils halve the deficit.

Plenty of time for them to get another.

GOAL - Man Utd 1-2 Norwich

Reuters

United back in it.

Wes Hoolahan's shot dribbles to the grateful hands of David de Gea. They're looking to rub salt into the wound.

Manchester United looking to get back in this game but there are loud groans as Ashley Young elects to pass backwards rather than forward.

More chants of, "United, United." The home fans are trying their best to gee their side on.

Norwich's defence is stubborn, but this is a side who have kept just one clean sheet all season. They don't look like conceding today.

In fact, the longer this game goes on, I fancy Norwich to be the once getting a third. Their game plan of containing United and playing on the break has worked a treat.

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SUBSTITUTION

Reuters

First change for the home side. Ander Herrera on for Marouane Fellaini.

The home fans cheer as Fellaini's name is read out.

Humiliating.

CLOSE!

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Ooh! Nearly a spectacular from Wayne Rooney.

Anthony Martial clips a ball in from the right and Rooney's overhead kick goes sailing into the Stretford End.

This seems to have sparked the Manchester United fans into singing a song. "We'll never die, we'll never die, we'll keep the red flag flying high.." is the rendition.

Has the tide turned for Louis van Gaal?

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Brett, Weymouth: How quick can Jose get from The Amex to Old Trafford... I'm being serious. LVG = Louis Van Gone.

And as I say that...

Jobless Jose Mourinho was on the south coast this lunchtime watching Brighton v Middlesbrough.

If you see him on the motorway making his way to Manchester, give me a shout.

Chris Sutton

Former Chelsea & Norwich striker on Final Score

"It's an old-fashioned toe-punt, but that is a brilliantly clever finish from Alex Tettey, because David de Gea is caught by surprise - he just wasn't ready for it."

Oh my days! Norwich double their lead and Old Trafford is stunned. Stone cold stunned.

Wayne Rooney loses the ball and Norwich break clear. First goalscorer Cameron Jerome leads the charge and he plays in Alex Tettey, who takes a touch before toe-poking in from the edge of the area.

Not the prettiest, but do the Canaries care? Not a chance!

GOAL - Man Utd 0-2 Norwich

Reuters

WOW!!

This one will look a bit different at full time.

No problems for Norwich, they look comfortable here. Hardly a United barrage at goal.

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YELLOW CARD

Robbie Brady goes into the book bringing down Juan Mata on the charge.

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Norwich fans singing, "Jose Mourinho, he's taking your job."

The pressure is really cranking up on Louis van Gaal now. His side have still not produced anything though.

Groans of frustration from Manchester United fans. They're doing their best to stay patient and not let rip with a full blown mutiny against their own players.

Juan Mata finds space on the left edge of the Norwich box, but his cross is poor and sails out of play.

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Norwich are very well organised for a team struggling at the wrong end of the table.

In this spell of possession for United, they had a line of five men across the edge of their own area.

Louis van Gaal's side are going to need some intricate play or something special to break down the visitors.

KICK-OFF

Rain pouring down at Old Trafford, this is going to be one interesting second half. United get us under way.

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For all their possession, Manchester United have not managed a single shot on target in the first half.

Opta

Keano would be in the changing room right now giving them a rollicking...

HALF-TIME

Reuters

Boos at Old Trafford as the referee signals half time.

Cameron Jerome's goal for Norwich the difference.

One added minute in the first half.

Daley Blind's inswinging corner towards the front post is headed clear by Alex Tettey. Poor.

Wayne Rooney latches on to a pass from Juan Mata and earns a corner for the home side...

Three minutes to half time, Old Trafford is silent. Can Manchester United give their fans something to cheer about before the interval?

Chris Sutton

Former Chelsea & Norwich striker on Final Score

"Cameron Jerome missed a sitter last week but that is a big goal for Norwich. They can cope with this - the way they play is set up for the counter attack."

Reuters

Only the second goal Manchester United have conceded at Old Trafford in the league this season and it's a shocker for the home side.

Defender Phil Jones's attempted challenge on Nathan Redmond is weak, who is able to feed the big burly Cameron Jerome.

He gets lucky as the ball bounces nicely in his path from Ashley Young's challenge and his eyes light up, taking the ball on before planting it into the net.

65% possession United had before that goal. It all counts for nothing.

GOAL - Man Utd 0-1 Norwich

Reuters

Oh no, Louis van Gaal. Oh no!

Winger Robbie Brady's curled ball into the box is easy for Anthony Martial to head clear. 

Norwich should really have made more of that chance, at least give David de Gea something to worry about.

The Spaniard has been sat on a stool smoking a cigar so far.

Ah, there's United's first foul of the game and it's Juan Mata tracking back to bring down Wes Hoolahan.

A free-kick in a very nice position, around 25-yards out...

Norwich are certainly getting stuck in. Five fouls conceded so far to United's none.

Fine line between fair play and nastiness. Norwich are in the 'it's OK' zone at the moment. Boss Alex Neil will like what he has seen of his side so far.

No chances created but not conceded anything either.

Manchester United just haven't been able to find a man in the right position so far. That position is on the edge of the six-yard box, where Wayne Rooney should be.

Daley Blind swings in a sumptuous corner which goes all the way across the box and no home player can get on the end of it.

That was like a big gooey chocolate cake saying 'eat me' but no-one takes up the invitation.

YELLOW CARD

Anthony Martial with some nifty footwork, showing why he's the Golden Boy and it's too much for Norwich midfielder Gary O'Neil, who brings him down and earns the first booking of the game.

Clever foul though, on the halfway line. Took one for the team. His team-mates will chip in together to pay that fine off for him.

25 minutes gone and we are yet to see a change to this...

Theatre of Dreams never seemed so apt. Wake up peeps!

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Juan Mata is pulling the strings for Manchester United and he finds Wayne Rooney on the edge of the box. The captain's strike takes a nick and rolls away for a corner.

The resulting set pieces comes to nothing though.

"United, United, United," shout the home supporters.

First Norwich chance!

Midfielder Wes Hoolahan plays a ball to the marauding Alex Tettey, who turns defender Chris Smalling brilliantly. See ya!

The next part wasn't as good though, as Tettey's left-footed strike from the edge of the area is scuffed wide.

Norwich goalkeeper Declan Rudd is getting a run in the first team in place of John Ruddy and the usual number two looks shaky. Twice now he has played a couple of dodgy kicks towards his team-mates but no damage has been done. A third one like that may end up leading to a goal.

Full-back Daley Blind with a lovely ball into the box which sails out for a goalkick, with Wayne Rooney stuck on his heels.

'Norwich can either bring players in, or coach the ones they have'

Trevor Sinclair

Former England winger on Football Focus

Reuters

"Norwich can either bring players in during January, or coach the players they have to create better performances and deliver better results. 

"The manager will be working on his strategies, but I'm sure he'll also be looking at the transfer market."

Now midfielder Juan Mata scampers forward through the Norwich backline. Martin Olsson brings the Spaniard down on the edge of the box but referee Michael Oliver doesn't see a foul. Wayne Rooney drags the loose ball wide of goal.

Game slowly starting to simmer.

You think Norwich will have to take any chance that falls to them today. Only Liverpool striker Christian Benteke has scored as a visiting player at Old Trafford this season, so you can see the task they have in front of them.

Winger Nathan Redmond will have to work hard to chase every ball and does so but goalkeeper David de Gea stays calm to get the ball away.

At the other end, Dutchman Memphis Depay curls an effort of the crossbar from the edge of the area.

'Van Gaal has the reins on'

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs & England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Manchester United look like a group of players not happy with the way they’re playing, the direction they’re being led in. Each manager looks at each team differently. 

"At Spurs, Juande Ramos said he’d free me up and not to worry about defensive play and I loved it. But Harry Redknapp came in and he wanted me to have more of a responsible role and hold back. 

"Louis van Gaal has the reins on them too much. They look like they’re doing what they’re told – his methods almost guarantee that you’ll get OK results – but they’re not enjoying that or getting the best out of each individual."

Reuters

DISALLOWED GOAL

United have the ball in the back of the net and it's Wayne Rooney!!

It's been chalked off though as both he, and the man who passed him the ball Marouane Fellaini, are standing in an offside position.

No complaints about that one. The correct decision and the easiest one the assistant referee will make all game.

Manchester United pushing men forward and almost work an opening. There's some neat play on the left hand side of the Norwich box and full-back Daley Blind surges up field to cut a ball back into the area.

Unfortunately for the home fans, captain Wayne Rooney can't get on the end of it and Norwich goalkeeper Declan Rudd collects. He might be in for a busy afternoon.

No chances thus far and neither goalkeeper has been tested yet either. Wayne Rooney is operating as the furthest man for the home side, while Marouane Fellaini is high up the pitch too. He'll be looking to set his captain up with some knock downs.

Van Gaal 'a Picasso manager'

Steve Wilson

BBC Match of the Day commentator at Old Trafford

"Norwich have lost their last three matches at Old Trafford 4-0. The home fans will arrive with hope, but not much expectation, of a similarly thumping victory.

"When was there last any real excitement at Old Trafford? You could almost distil the moments of genuine joy down to Anthony Martial's body swerve and sweeping finish against Liverpool. The rest has been much ado about nothing.

"If United can't break down Norwich, expect the spotlight which had been on Jose Mourinho to fall squarely on Louis van Gaal. 

"United's lengthy injury list doesn't help, but nor does it dispel the feeling that he's proving to be a Picasso manager: some see genius, others see someone putting all the right bits in all the wrong places."

AP

Talking of Anthony Martial, the Manchester United forward was another who was given a trophy before kick-off. The Frenchman has won the Golden Boy award, for Europe's best young player.

Reuters

Barely 10 seconds into the game and Norwich full-back Martin Olsson is already being spoken to by referee Michael Oliver after bringing down Anthony Martial.

A lively start.

KICK-OFF

Norwich get us under way at Old Trafford.

PA

Players out on the pitch and captain Wayne Rooney receives a commemorative silver plate from Sir Bobby Charlton for his 500th game for Manchester United.

Not long to go until kick off...

Milestone man

Some fans love him, others hate him, but you have to give Wayne Rooney credit for his longevity at the top.

Manager Louis van Gaal has called it "a fantastic achievement."

BBC

'Man Utd can win the title'

Gary Bowyer

Former Blackburn manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"Louis van Gaal has a philosophy he knows works. They’re fourth and there’s not much in it. 

"You get judged on results.If they finish top, then I don’t think many people will be moaning. 

"If they can get the right player in January to give them a boost, and with the players they have coming back from injury, there’s no reason they can’t win it."

For all the chat of doom and gloom at Old Trafford, Manchester United aren't too badly placed.

Fourth in the league, just six points behind surprise leaders Leicester City. 

Out of the Champions League, but can they win the title? One man seems to think so...

Last time out

Getty Images

Manchester United ran out 4-0 victors the last time these sides met in 2014, but more significantly, it was Ryan Giggs' first game in charge of the club after the sacking of David Moyes.

Could this be Louis van Gaal's last game as boss? You never know in football...

Predict the unpredictable

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BBC Sport's prediction overlord Mark Lawrenson reckons this game is going to be 2-0 to United.

But what do you think? There is no need to scream your prediction at your computer any more - you can have your say using our Predictor.

There is a league table for how fans of each club are doing prediction-wise this season. Roles are reversed, with Norwich flying high and United struggling. But you can turn it around by predicting right now.

Needing a win

These two sides go into the fixture having forgotten how to win. 

Manchester United haven't triumphed in their last five games in all competitions, while opponents Norwich have dropped into the relegation zone after a run of one victory in 11 league games.

Can the Canaries cause a shock? They've won just two of 18 league meetings between the sides though. A tough ask.

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Team news

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney returns after injury and makes his 500th appearance for the club. Chris Smalling also returns and partners Phil Jones, while Ashley Young gets a start.  

BBC

Declan Rudd continues in goal for Norwich, while Cameron Jerome leads the Canaries line alone up front.  

BBC

Pressure is on

One high profile manager lost his job this week, who's next?

Louis van Gaal looks a worried man...

Getty Images

12 December: Lost against Bournemouth

Reuters

8 December: Lost against Wolfsburg

EPA

5 December: Goalless draw against West Ham

Welcome to our live page for Manchester United v Norwich City. We’ll have text commentary here from 14:30 GMT. You can keep up to date with all the build-up to today’s games here.