Match report: United 3 Norwich 2

FIRST HALF – RONALDO BAGS A DOUBLE BUT NORWICH NICK ONE BACK

It had been a lively start by both sides, with Teemu Pukki having a decent attempt saved by David De Gea, Elanga conjuring up an overhead kick for himself that was held by Tim Krul, and Ronaldo seeing shot stopped.

But after just seven minutes, United were as good as gifted the opener, punishing Norwich’s  kamikaze slapdash play as the Canaries attempted to play out from the back.

Elanga was alive to the nervous situation when defender Ben Gibson had the ball in his possession in the box.
The Swede picked Gibson’s pocket easily and unselfishly squared for an easy right-footed finish by Ronaldo.

Norwich never looked comfortable on the Old Trafford stage and the early strike set the Reds up for a potential stroll in the sun.

The tempo did, however, slip for a spell and though Norwich were never threatening United urgently needed to relight their fire.

And it was Ronaldo again who did just that in the 32nd minute.

A Jesse Lingard close range snapshot cannoned off keeper Krul for a corner and the resulting set piece was delivered to the near post by Alex Telles. Ronaldo attacked the ball on the eight yard line to head home and extend United’s lead to two.

Ronaldo was enjoying the day and the crowd rose in anticipation when he attempted a spectacular bicycle kick in the 39th minute, but our No. 7 sent his party piece flying high into the East Stand.

United, however, failed to kill the visitors off in the first half, and the Canaries snatched a goal back.

A rare Canaries attack saw Dimitris Giannoulis find Pukki, whose cross to the back post was met with a firm header by the unmarked Kieran Dowell, taking the edge off a what should have been a first half saunter.