Manchester United vs Norwich City. Premier League.
Old TraffordAttendance75,586.
Friday 1 March 2013 11:32, UK
Manchester United will have one eye on Tuesday's clash with Real Madrid when they welcome Norwich City to Old Trafford on Saturday.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side go into the game with 12 points' breathing space at the top of the Premier League, but with their Champions League last-16 clash with the Spanish champions on a knife-edge at 1-1. Robin van Persie has recovered from a hip injury and although he could face Norwich, Phil Jones is fighting to regain fitness after an ankle injury and will not be risked given that he has a potentially crucial role to play against Jose Mourinho's men. Minimum energy expansion and exposure to injury while gaining maximum points is likely to be the order of the day for Ferguson, who will be keen for his side to score first-half goals to allow key players to be substituted early. However, United will not be taking Norwich lightly. Chris Hughton's side were the last team to inflict defeat on United in the league - a 1-0 reverse at Carrow Road on November 17. Although that result stunned United into an unbeaten run that currently stands at 15 league games, Hughton's players will travel north with the belief they can be competitive and the knowledge that United have split priorities. They also go into the game at the start of what could be a return to form. Having ended a slump of five defeats in six games with three consecutive draws, they registered their first win in 10 attempts with a 2-1 win over Everton in their last outing.Robin van Persie will be in the Manchester United squad for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Norwich City. Van Persie hurt his hip when he crashed into a TV camera at QPR last week, but has recovered and will come into contention. Ryan Giggs is set to make his 1,000th career appearance, but Paul Scholes (knee) and Phil Jones (ankle) are sidelined, although the latter man could be fit for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid.Norwich will again be without midfielder Alex Tettey because of a knee injury. On-loan Sporting Kansas City forward Kei Kamara is pressing for a place in the starting line-up after coming off the bench to score in the win over Everton. Winger Andrew Surman (knee) remains out, while England goalkeeper John Ruddy continues his rehabilitation from thigh surgery and is set for a return at the end of March.
