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24/02/2012 11:30 - ManUtd.com, Adam Marshall
Match preview: Norwich



United make the long trip to East Anglia this weekend...


Form guide
The Canaries have been in excellent form but were dumped out of the FA Cup following a shock home reverse to Leicester last time out. Paul Lambert's side won four out of five games last month, drawing the other one with Chelsea, before suffering a 3-0 loss at Sunderland. However, they bounced back from that setback to beat Bolton and Swansea, joining United as the only teams to win at the Liberty Stadium in the Barclays Premier League. United went down 2-1 to Ajax on Thursday but still progressed in the Europa League. The champions have won four of the last five league fixtures with the exception also being a draw with Chelsea.

Ins and outs
Tom Cleverley is believed to be a doubt after picking up a knock against Ajax while it is hoped Wayne Rooney will return from a throat infection. Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand also look set to feature after a rest in midweek while Ryan Giggs comes into contention after sitting on the bench throughout the Europa League tie. Antonio Valencia is still sidelined. As for Norwich, James Vaughan made his first appearance since September in the FA Cup last weekend and centre-back Zak Whitbread is fit again after a hamstring injury. Recent recruit Jonny Howson is in training but fellow new signing Ryan Bennett is not due at the club until Monday.

Last meeting
United may not have been in top form but still saw off Norwich 2-0 at Old Trafford at the start of October. Anderson opened the scoring and Danny Welbeck wrapped things up late on after coming off the bench. However, the visitors had chances to cause an upset with Anthony Pilkington spurning a couple of clear opportunities. Phil Jones produced an excellent display at centre-back.

Opposition boss
A former European Cup winner in his Borussia Dortmund days, Paul Lambert is another Scotsman doing a great job managing in the Barclays Premier League. The 42-year-old played most of his football north of the border, notably with Celtic, but picked up plenty of experience during his spell in the Bundesliga. After cutting his teeth managing Livingston, Wycombe and Colchester, he has worked wonders at Carrow Road and led the side to consecutive promotions. This season, the East Anglians have surpassed all expectations.

Star man
Grant Holt is a popular figure with the Norwich faithful and has made a mockery of those who labelled him a 'lower-league striker' who would not cut the mustard in the top flight. A strapping target man whose style is something of a throwback, he has unsettled some star names all season and can be well pleased with his goal tally of nine goals from 14 league starts. For a man whose CV starts with Workington, Halifax, Sengkang Marine and Barrow, he has come an awfully long way in the game. Often captaining the side, he certainly leads from the front.

Quote/unquote
"I think they’ve improved a lot since October. They’ve really hit top form now and they are going to be a totally different side to what we played up there earlier in the season." Russell Martin.

Sub-plots
Ryan Giggs has had to wait for his 900th appearance after sitting out the two Ajax legs but looks set to reach the landmark on Sunday. United's last visit to Carrow Road was a painful one as the Reds crashed to a 2-0 defeat in 2005 but Norwich's attractive football has earned a lot of plaudits and the match should be very easy on the eye.

Whistle blower
Andre Marriner takes charge of proceedings after overseeing two United away fixtures already this term. He was the man in the middle for the 5-0 romp at Bolton and 1-1 draw against Liverpool.

Rivals watch
Leaders Manchester City entertain Blackburn on Saturday at teatime and can extend their lead at the top of the table. Arsenal and Tottenham compete in the North London derby at the same time as the United match while the Carling Cup final takes place later on Sunday between Liverpool and Cardiff.