With the FA Cup Third Round done and dusted, Premier League action returns as Norwich City travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United for the second time this season.
One of City’s more memorable matches against the side came back in 2015, when Alex Neil’s side beat the Premier League giants 2-1 at Old Trafford, thanks to goals from Cameron Jerome and Alex Tettey.
Manchester United 1-2 Norwich City
19 December, 2015
Premier League
Old Trafford
How did the game unfold?
The game started off relatively quiet, both sides unable to fire a decent shot on target. No goal came until the dying minutes of the first-half, but when it came, it was a buzz for City fans.
Nathan Redmond found himself in bundles of space as Tettey threaded a ball through to the forward. The run progressed nicely up the pitch, until he laid it off to Jerome, who was waiting patiently to put the burners on, leaving the defence in the dust. Fancy footwork saw Jerome avoid a slide tackle with ease, before burying a one-on-one effort against David De Gea to give the Canaries a 1-0 lead.
As the second-half began it was clear that City were looking for more, one goal wasn’t enough to take three points home comfortably. A second goal was needed, and it was just what the Canaries found themselves.
Some tidy one-two play between Tettey and Jerome found the Norwegian midfielder through on goal, the defence had left him unmarked. Making no mistake, Tettey slotted it in the bottom corner nicely to double the Canaries' lead, taking the score to 2-0.
United tried to fight back, a notable effort coming from Wayne Rooney, who attempted a bicycle kick after a quick free-kick, the effort just wide of goal.
The Red Devils managed to find themselves one goal to close the gap that little bit more, after some scrappy play in the City box saw new signing Anthony Martial get the better foot on the ball, seeing it laced to the netting.
A last-minute header from Chris Smalling nodded ever so slightly wide meant Neil’s City side returned to Norfolk with all three points in hand.
Norwich City: Rudd, Bassong, Bennett, Brady, Martin, Olsson, Tettey, Hoolahan (Howson, 66), O’Neil (Mulumbu, 82), Redmond, Jerome (Mbokani, 82)
What happened next?
The Canaries didn’t have the best remainder of the campaign, going on to win just five more games of the season, finishing the season in 19th place, just five points from safety on 34 points. City joined Aston Villa and Newcastle as they headed back to the Championship in the following season.
Man United didn’t exactly have their ideal finish to the campaign either. Under the reigns of Louis Van Gaal, the side went on to win eleven of their 21 remaining fixtures. A great tally on paper, but a shaky mid-season compromised the side’s chance of a top four finish, seeing them end the season in fifth place with 66 points, drawn with Man City, but edged out of Champions League football on goal difference.
What the media said
“The Canaries were well organised, playing on the break and anything less than the victory would have been disappointing for them after they earned their two-goal advantage.
“Wingers Robbie Brady and Nathan Redmond epitomised the side's hard work, as Brady made four tackles, more than any other player. He also won back possession seven times - the same as team-mate Redmond.” – BBC
“Cameron Jerome's determination, not to mention an assured finish, saw Norwich take the lead in the 38th minute, and the forward turned provider for his side's second, threading the ball through for Alex Tettey to steer it beyond David De Gea. There were signs here that he remains a credible goalscorer and attacking threat at this level, the kind of forward United could do with right now.” – The Mirror