Manchester United vs Norwich City e-Football Preview

Article by e-Norwich City Correspondent Colin Rowe

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Ryan Giggs will have the honour of playing Norwich in his first game in charge of Manchester United this weekend, or is it Norwich having the honour of facing Ryan Giggs?

Either way, according to Gary Lineker the decision to relieve David Moyes of his Old Trafford duty’s was not “bonkers and deluded”, despite being even more strangely timed than Chris Hughton’s departure from the Carrow Road dugout, which was “bonkers and deluded” according to the England legend.

Regardless of who occupies the hot-seat at either club, Norwich head to Salford this weekend in need of points, with the team sitting just two points above the drop zone with three to play.

There is a genuine sense of optimism about the club following what was a positive, if eventually fruitless, visit from Liverpool last Sunday.

Would City be happier travelling up north with the former Everton boss still in charge?

Yes, but what if any effect the evergreen Giggs will have on Manchester United is certainly up for debate, although he will have to field the same group of players who have struggled all season.

The Red Devils also have little, if anything, left to play for this season, with a significant gap to Southampton below them and a much smaller, but still difficult to bridge, points difference to Tottenham ahead of them for a what could be a meaningless sixth place.

Whichever way you look at it Norwich can head to the newly christened Theatre of Nightmares with a spring in their step and points on their mind.

Tactically, expect Norwich to adopt similar tactics to the second half against Liverpool and we can but hope the defence is paying attention during the first ten minutes.

On the subject of the back-line, one thing which might be a cause of worry for City fans is the continued absence of Sebastian Bassong.

Although the Cameroonian international has enjoyed a turbulent season, aside from some high-profile errors he has played relatively well and the fact he cannot even make the substitute bench, despite Norwich’s lack of squad depth at the back, suggests there has been some kind of falling out with the new manager.

At this stage of the season and given his erratic performances most Norwich fans will be willing to give Neil Adams the benefit of the doubt, but the lack of information and reasoning behind this choice can only snowball speculation.

On a happier note it looks as if Joseph Yobo will be in contention to face Chelsea the weekend after the Man United game and Elliott Bennett will travel with the squad to the northwest, which will be a huge relief to the Y’Army faithful who have been missing the winger since he was struck down with a long-term injury early in the season.

What will perhaps be most important this weekend are the fans who travel to Old Trafford who will need to be on good form to urge the team forward against what will certainly be a loud Old Trafford faithful welcoming one of its favourite sons.

Predicted Line-Up: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Tuner, Olsson, Johnson, Howson, Fer, Redmond, Snodgrass, Hooper

On The Ball City!

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