Marcus Rashford Brace Leads Manchester United to Easy Win vs. Norwich City

Marcus Rashford scored twice as Manchester United beat Norwich City 4-0 at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Red Devils dominated the first half and broke the deadlock after 27 minutes when Rashford, who was making his 200th appearance for the club, volleyed home Juan Mata's cross.

Norwich could have snatched an equaliser just before half-time after a quick break. An overlapping Todd Cantwell went close with a curling effort that was parried by goalkeeper David De Gea.

Rashford doubled Manchester United's lead early in the second half. The England international netted his 14th Premier League goal of the season from the penalty spot after Brandon Williams had been brought down by Tim Krul.

Anthony Martial headed home the hosts' third of the afternoon two minutes later, and substitute Mason Greenwood drilled home the fourth to cap a convincing win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

Solskjaer made four changes to his team, bringing Harry Maguire, Nemanja Matic, Mata and Martial back into his starting XI.

Norwich were still without top scorer Teemu Pukki because of injury, meaning 18-year-old Adam Idah led the line:

The hosts were the better side in the first half but struggled to break down Norwich until Rashford struck just before the half-hour mark.

Mata cut inside off the right flank and floated in a cross for the England international to poke past Krul at the far post:

Andreas Pereira then thumped an effort straight at Krul, while Fred rifled in a low shot from the edge of the penalty area that whistled just past the post on his 50th appearance for the club.

Martial was also guilty of wasting a good opportunity. The Frenchman was played through on goal by Mata after a mistake in the Norwich defence, but he dawdled in possession and was robbed by Christoph Zimmermann.

The visitors rarely threatened in the opening 45 minutes but did give Solskjaer's men a scare just before half-time. A break upfield saw Emiliano Buendia feed the unmarked Cantwell on the left, but his shot was blocked by a diving De Gea.

Manchester United doubled their lead five minutes into the second half from the penalty spot. Rashford fired home his second of the match after Krul had brought down Brandon Williams in the box:

Martial headed home a third two minutes later from another inswinging cross from Mata after a quick corner taken short by the Red Devils:

Solskjaer brought on Daniel James and Mason Greenwood for Rashford and Pereira in the second half with his side three goals to the good and cruising, and the 18-year-old enhanced his growing reputation with United's fourth.

Greenwood was given time and space on the edge of the box to rifle a left-footed strike that flew past Krul and nestled in the bottom corner:

It is a much-needed three points for Manchester United after a run of three games without a win in all competitions. The Red Devils move into fifth place in the table, while Norwich stay bottom and without a Premier League win since November 2019.

What's Next?

Manchester United play Wolverhampton Wanderers in an FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday at Old Trafford. Norwich's next fixture is at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Jan. 18.