Manchester United vs Norwich preview: Louis van Gaal hoping to end goal drought

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Old Trafford

Ayub Nouinou
Friday 18 December 2015 17:02 GMT
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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (GETTY IMAGES)

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It’s a big game for…

Ashley Young: The winger didn’t feature in last Saturday’s defeat at Bournemouth, which left many Manchester United fans scratching their heads. The former Aston Villa midfielder will need to rediscover the form he showcased last season against Norwich if he’s to convince Louis van Gaal that he deserves to be in the starting eleven.

Best stat…

9 and 1: Manchester United have the most clean sheets in the league this season with nine while Norwich have the fewest with just one.

Remember when...

Anthony Pilkington netted this thunderous header past Anders Lindegaard at Carrow Road in 2012

Player to watch…

Wes Hoolahan: The Irishman has been involved in more Premier League goals this season than any other Norwich player and he will be looking to add to his assists tally of five against the Red Devils. He may be 33-years-old but Hoolahan still has an eye for goal and is more than capable of whipping in a brilliant cross or two for forward Cameron Jerome.

Past three-meetings…

Manchester United 4 (Rooney 2, Mata 2) Norwich City 0, Premier League, April 2014

Norwich City 0 Manchester United 1 (Welbeck), Premier League, December 2013

Manchester United 4 (Hernandez 2, Jones, Fabio) Norwich City 0, League Cup, October 2013

Form guide…

Manchester United: WDDDLL

Norwich: LWLDLD

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 3pm

TV: Highlights on Match of the Day on BBC One at 10.30p

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