Norwich v Man Utd Barclays Premier League Preview
The philosophy has been "you score two and we'll get three." Those United fans who like thrills and spills along the way must be in paradise - they have seen their side concede 26 times in 17 games but score 44 - so they are getting an average of more than four goals a game for and against.United's powers of recovery are not famous without good reason. Late, late winners have been part of Old Trafford folklore ever since Steve Bruce's winner against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993. Even so, to have been behind in 10 games this season and come back to win eight of them is astonishing.
When I wrote the preview to the Norwich versus Arsenal game a month ago, the Canaries had just conceded nine goals in two games against Chelsea and Liverpool and were the bookmakers' favourites to be relegated.I wrote then that I thought the bookies were being premature, and for once I can claim to have been talking sense because Norwich have not lost a game since. They have beaten Arsenal and Stoke at Carrow Road, drawn at Villa and Reading and knocked Spurs out of the League Cup. The most important difference seems to be at the back. Norwich don't have the firepower to be free scorers at this level, so they have to be very savvy defensively. It might be no coincidence that their run of form started with Michael Turner being paired with Sebastien Bassong at the heart of their defence for the first time. Five games unbeaten with only two goals conceded tell their own story.Mind you, what are the odds on this being a high-scoring game with Manchester United storming back to seal victory with a 97th-minute Javier Hernandez offside goal?
Team News:
Norwich midfielder Alex Tettey should be available despite pulling out of the Norway squad for their midweek friendly against Hungary with a back problem.Wayne Rooney and Jonny Evans are doubtful for Manchester United, though Robin van Persie will be fit according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.Rooney picked up an ankle injury in his side's 3-2 victory over Aston Villa.Ferguson revealed Javier Hernandez is likely to start after his match-winning impact as a substitute against Villa.
Head-to-head
Norwich have only beaten United once in their past 14 league meetings: 2-0 at Carrow Road in April 2005 (W1, D1, L12). In their most recent encounter in February, Ryan Giggs marked his 900th appearance for Manchester United with a 90th-minute winner.
Norwich
The Canaries are unbeaten in their last four league games (W2, D2).
They have kept three clean sheets in that time, and their season's tally of four is bettered by only Stoke and West Ham.
Only Sunderland have scored fewer goals than the eight scored by Norwich.
Michael Turner is poised to make his 300th career league start and his 350th club appearance.
Manchester United
United have won 14 of their last 16 matches in all competitions, including nine of the last 10 league fixtures.
They have trailed in 10 of their 17 matches this season. In the league, they have gained an unrivalled 15 points from losing positions - five times as many as they managed in 2011-12.
A sixth successive away win in the Premier League would represent their best form since a similar sequence between December 2001 and February 2002.
Javier Hernandez has scored seven goals in his last five appearances in all competitions. He has scored 27 goals in 62 league appearances for United, despite only making 34 starts.
Robin van Persie has scored eight goals and registered three assists in 11 Premier League appearances for the club. He has also scored 56 goals in his last 66 league games.
Michael Carrick could make his 400th career league appearance.
Barclays Premier League
Match: Norwich v Man Utd
Date: Saturday, November 17
Kick-off: 17.30 GMT
Venue: Carrow Road
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