MAN UTD 4, NORWICH CITY 0
Marcus Rashford, on his 200th appearance for Manchester United, was the catalyst for the much-needed home win against Norwich City.
The 22-year-old striker, who scored the Reds’ first two goals, became the third youngest player to reach that milestone behind George Best and Ryan Giggs but ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rashford, enjoying his most productive campaign, has already found the net 19 times, 14 of which have come in the Premier League.
And his stats for his 200 games are impressive as he has scored 64 goals and provided a further 26 assists.
There were also goals for Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood as United climbed to fifth place, five points behind Chelsea who occupy the final Champions League place.
It was Greenwood’s ninth goal in only 12 starts and a further 14 appearances off the bench, Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho is the only teenager in Europe’s top five leagues to have scored more goals.
After three poor results – losses at Arsenal in the league and against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup and draw at Wolves in the Emirates FA Cup – this was a huge three points for United.
It may have only been against bottom-club Norwich, but the Canaries had already beaten City and proved far from pushovers against other top teams.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnited manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declared himself satisfied, not only with the result but his team’s performance.
He said: “We reacted today and bounced back. I am very, very happy when the opposition manager says how hard working we played.
“We played with intensity and to win the ball back after losing it. Our attitude was right. If you let Norwich play, and they have quality players, it will be tough.
“We are taking more than two or three steps forward before one back. Behind the scenes we know we are doing good work.”
Solskjaer added his team began on the front foot and the way they took advantage of their pressure and domination.
The Reds’ manager also praised Rashford, declaring: “It is a fantastic effort by Marcus getting to 200 games so quickly.
“He has been absolutely top quality and a pleasure to work with. He is a young lad who wants to learn and has his feet on the ground.
“He can become so much better aa he has everything to be a top player – attitude, skill and physique. If he scores more from inside the six-yard box, like today, he will be exceptional.
“He got through most of the game, but is struggling with a number of knocks so we took him off
“He kept his cool (for the goals) and I am very pleased with Marcus.”
Solskjaer also issued a plea for unity in the wake of chants from fans against the Glazer family owners and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
He said: “We have to stick together as we are a family. I have been backed by the Glazers and Ed.
“We are in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, Europa League and fifth in the league. We have improved from last season.
“Believe me we are working behind the scenes and we are going forward in the right way.”
Solskjaer made four changes from the side that lost their Carabao Cup semi-final derby match against City in midweek.
Centre-back Harry Maguire returned after injury and there were also starts for Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Martial.
The players to lose out were Phil Jones, Daniel James, Greenwood and the unwell Jesse Lingard.
Norwich were without the injured talisman Teemu Pukki with youngster Adam Idah, fresh from his hat-trick in the FA Cup win at Preston, leading the attack in his first Premier League start.
Martial might have earned the Reds an early penalty when he was caught by Christoph Zimmermann, but the striker didn’t go to ground.
The breakthrough came in the 27th minute from Rashford.
Mata floated a delightful ball from the right over the Canaries’ defence and Rashford stole in to volley home from three yards.
Fred had a chance to doubled the lead but his shot from 25 yards flew narrowly wide.
Yet on the stroke of half time Norwich might have equalised with their first goal attempt of the game.
Norwich broke incisively and the ball played to Todd Cantwell who was free on the left of the box as he forced a fine save from David De Gea low to his left.
United went 2-0 ahead in the 51st minute when Rashford was on target again, this time with a penalty.
It was awarded when Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul brought down Brandon Williams as he broke into the penalty area on the left.
Three minutes later and it was 3-0 when, following a short corner, Mata crossed and Martial glanced home a header from six yards.
And it ought to have been four moments later but Williams skied a shot well over from three yards following a cross from Andreas Pereira.
United, with their job done, made their first change just short of the hour when Rashford made way for James.
And with 20 minutes left, Greenwood came on for Pereira.
Greenwood had only been on the field for five minutes when he made it 4-0.
Max Aarons’ headed clearance was picked up by Greenwood who advanced forward and from 20 yards fired low past Krul.
United’s third chance with 10 minutes left, saw Martial make way for Angel Gomes.
Norwich kept plugging away in pursuit of a consolation goal with Zimmermann forcing a decent diving save from De Gea.