Manchester United vs Norwich team news: Wayne Rooney back from injury with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling recalled

United manager Louis van Gaal makes four changes as he reshuffles his defence

Jack de Menezes
Saturday 19 December 2015 15:18 GMT
Comments
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney starts against Norwich
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney starts against Norwich (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Wayne Rooney returns to lead Manchester United against Norwich after missing their last three matches in a bid to end a five-game winless streak.

United manager Louis van Gaal makes four changes with three fresh faces in defence as Ashley Young starts at right-back with Chris Smalling back in central defence to partner Phil Jones, with Daley Blind shifted out to left-back.

The only other change see Rooney return for Jesse Lingard, with the England captain set to start as the lone striker with Anthony Martial switching to the left-wing and Memphis Depay crossing over to the right. It means that Rooney makes his 500th appearance for United, becoming just the 10th player to reach the landmark.

Norwich make just one enforced change as Andre Wisdom is ruled out through injury, so in comes Ryan Bennett to start at right-back. Goalkeeper Declan Rudd is retained ahead of John Ruddy, who remains on the substitutes’ bench.

Teams

Manchester United: De Gea; Young, Jones, Smalling, Blind; Carrick, Fellaini; Depay, Mata, Martial; Rooney.

Subs: Romero, Borthwick-Jackson, McNair, Varela, Schneiderlin, Pereira, Herrera

Norwich: Rudd; Martin (c), Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Redmond, O'Neil, Tettey, Brady; Hoolahan; Jerome

Subs: Ruddy (GK), Whittaker, Howson, Mbokani, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Odjidja

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in