Marcus Rashford marked his 200th Manchester United appearance in style by scoring twice as the Red Devils returned to winning ways by easily despatching bottom-of-the-table Norwich.
Rashford, 22, became the third-youngest player to reach the landmark for the club and opened the scoring in the first half by stabbing home Juan Mata’s deep cross to the back post.
United dominated possession throughout the game and were rampant in the second half, England international Rashford netting his second after Brandon Williams was brought down in the box by Norwich keeper goalkeeper Tim Krul.
Anthony Martial, who is also closing in on a double century of United games, rose highest to nod in from another inch-perfect Mata cross to seal victory before the hour mark.
Full-back Williams should have scored for the hosts but somehow blazed his effort high into the Stretford End from two yards out with the goal gaping wide open, but Mason Greenwood came off the bench to stroke in a lovely fourth.
Norwich’s best chance fell to midfielder Todd Cantwell at 1-0 on the stroke of half-time, but the England Under-21 international’s low curler was kept out by a stunning save from David de Gea.
United move back into fifth place, five points behind Chelsea, while the Canaries remain rooted to the foot of the division, a long seven points from safety having played a game more than the three teams above them.
With the game won despite more than half an hour remaining, United fans in the Stretford End turned to protest at how the club is being run.
There were loud chants of “we want Glazers out” and also aiming their frustration at executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who was sitting in his seat up behind the dugout and the man who deals with transfer negotiations.
The chants spread to other parts of the ground and the singing continued for around 20 minutes in the second half.
Ashley Young has agreed to a deal to join Inter Milan but that could be brought forward to this transfer window, while it’s not certain any players are coming in.
The agent of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes was reportedly in Manchester on Friday and it remains to be seen whether a deal is forthcoming for a player who was heavily linked with United in the summer.
Norwich in deep trouble
Time is running out for beleaguered Norwich, anchored to the bottom and now with just one victory from their last 17 league games.
Teenage striker Adam Idah, 18, scored a hat-trick in the FA Cup against Preston last weekend and came in to replace injured top scorer Teemu Pukki, but could not assert himself against Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as United kept only their fourth clean sheet this term.
Cantwell has impressed for Norwich this season and it could have been a different result had he taken his chance just before the interval, opening up his body and curling a shot that was pushed out by De Gea.
They shocked champions Manchester City earlier in the season at Carrow Road but could not repeat the result this time as they were thoroughly outplayed and have now conceded 45 league goals, more than any other team.
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The England winger showed a nice bit of opportunism, stealing into the box to finish off Cesar Azpilicueta’s chipped ball, to net his side’s third and seal the win shortly after half-time.
The Blues have faltered at the Bridge in recent weeks, losing to three sides near the relegation zone, and were struggling to break down a well-organised Burnley in the opening 25 minutes until Matt Lowton’s reckless sliding tackle on Willian enabled Jorginho to open the scoring from the penalty spot. read more
Source – Sport365coza
