Manchester United vs. Norwich City: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Javier Hernandez bagged a brace and both Phil Jones and Fabio also found the back of the net as Manchester United claimed a 4-0 win from Tuesday’s Capital One encounter with Norwich City, who lost both Robert Snodgrass and Nathan Redmond to injury at Old Trafford.

United, employing a strong squad in a competition they’ve won four times before, were quick to go on the front foot and nearly took the lead in the 13th minute when Hernandez, gathering Wilfried Zaha’s accurate cross in the goalmouth as he went to ground, tried to sweep the ball into the back of the net.

But the hosts would have to wait just seven minutes longer for their opener, which presented itself when Adnan Januzaj, accepting a good pass from Ashley Young, was tripped in the area by Leroy Fer, sending Hernandez to the spot.

The Mexico striker, who also scored at the weekend against Stoke, made no mistake from 12 yards as United took a deserved lead.

Young and Zaha, meanwhile, continued to get considerable joy down the flanks through the remainder of the opening half, although Norwich nearly replied in the 27th minute when Ryan Bennett, on the end of an excellent Snodgrass delivery, headed the ball into the waiting arms of United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard.

Norwich came back out of the tunnel with renewed purpose after the restart and within five minutes came as close as they would on this night when Johan Elmander missed the far corner by inches after being played through by Redmond.

The guests would end up ruing that miss as just four minutes later United doubled their advantage—Hernandez putting his own rebound past Mark Bunn after a superb delivery from Alexander Buttner.

Shortly before the hour mark, however, Snodgrass collapsed to the floor after a collision with Rafael and required both oxygen and a spine board before being carried off.

Then, in the 72nd minute, Redmond was forced to come off after appearing to pull a stomach muscle. From there the tempo of the affair, which had picked up considerably before the two injuries, was reduced almost to a standstill.

United weren’t finished with the goalscoring, however, and added strikes from Jones and Fabio before referee Kevin Friend blew time on a match that will have done wonders for the hosts’ confidence while demoralizing the guests.

Key Player Grades

Javier Hernandez: A+

The Mexico international has now scored three goals in his last two matches and looks a threat to score whenever finding himself in possession in front of goal. His headed take-down in the 87th minute also led to Jones’ goal, which gave United a 3-0 cushion.

Adnan Januzaj: A

The youngster was a difference-maker once again for United. Although he didn’t get his name on the scoresheet, the 18-year-old seemed to thrive in a central role behind Hernandez. Midway through the first half, his skllful, swerving run into the 18-yard box almost produced a goal, only for his two shots to be blocked.

Nathan Redmond: B+

The 19-year-old did nothing to hurt his burgeoning reputation and was generally Norwich’s most consistent attacking threat before an injury required his withdrawal in the latter stages of the second half. His cross to Elmander was his side’s best attacking movement of the match.

Substitutions
Player	Grade
Lindegaard	A
Rafael	A
Ferdinand	A
Vidic	A
Buttner	A
Jones	A
Cleverley	B+
Zaha	A
Januzaj	A
Young	B+
Hernandez	A+
Rooney	A
Anderson	B+
Fabio	A

Substitutions
Player	Grade
Bunn	C
Whittaker	B-
Bassong	B
Bennett	B-
Garrido	C
Snodgrass	B
Johnson	C+
Fer	C
Redmond	B+
Hoolahan	C
Elmander	B-
Hooper	C
Murphy	C
Pilkington	B-

What’s Next?

Next up for United is a Premier League visit to Fulham on Saturday, then they’ll be in the Basque Country to face Real Sociedad in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Norwich, meanwhile, have the difficult assignment of an away match against Manchester City on Saturday.