Manchester United v Norwich preview: Wayne Rooney to make return
Saturday 19 December 2015 15:30, UK
Manchester United will be aiming to end a five-match winless run when they host Norwich at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Draws against PSV Eindhoven, Leicester and West Ham have been followed by defeats to Wolfsburg and Bournemouth in a miserable run of form for United.
The results have seen them slip six points behind table-topping Leicester in the Premier League, while they have also been eliminated from Champions League at the group stage.
However, they might take some consolation from their impressive home form this season. They are the only side in the top flight yet to lose at home and have conceded just one goal in nine league matches at Old Trafford.
Norwich have lost 4-0 on each of their last three visits to Old Trafford and have won just one of their last 11 matches in all competitions.
They start the weekend 18th in the table after coming from behind to draw with Everton in their last outing.
Team news
Wayne Rooney could return for United after missing the last three matches with an ankle injury.
Bastian Schweinsteiger is suspended, but Chris Smalling (groin), Matteo Darmian (hamstring) and Ander Herrera (hamstring) could feature.
Norwich will be without on-loan Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom (hamstring) and midfielder Matt Jarvis (knee).
Goalkeeper John Ruddy is available for selection as the club continue an internal investigation into his involvement in a late-night fracas at a city-centre taxi rank, but Declan Rudd is expected to again be first choice at Old Trafford.
Opta stats
Manchester United have kept six clean sheets in their last seven league games at Old Trafford, while the Canaries have won just one of their last 19 Premier League away games (D5 L13).
Juan Mata has scored four goals in six Premier League appearances against Norwich.
Rooney's next appearance for United will be his 500th for the club - only nine players have reached this landmark for United.
Old Trafford is the stadium to have seen the fewest goals scored in the Premier League so far this season (10).
This match pits the team with the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season (Man United - nine) against the team with the fewest (Norwich City - one).
Paul Merson's prediction
I'm going to go for United, but it won't be impressive. I'm Louis van Gaal's biggest critic, but he's had some bad injuries.
It might not be pretty, but it will be a big win for them. It's a catch 22 with Norwich, it's one of those games where you ask yourself, "do we have a go at United?" as they may never have a better chance.
If they sit back they could play into United's hands, but if they have a go it could catch them off-guard unexpectedly.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Manchester United v Norwich
Manchester United are 4/9 with Sky Bet to maintain their impressive recent record against 13/2 shots Norwich at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have won their last three Premier League meetings with the Canaries at home to nil, scoring 10 goals in the process and are 5/4 to extend that trend on Saturday.
However, United are struggling with only one win in their last four in the top flight and the draw at 100/30 will appeal to many punters. Anthony Martial is 6/4 favourite to net in a home win, while Dieumerci Mbokani is deemed the most likely of the Norwich side to score at 7/2.
Soccer Saturday pundits Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson are both backing United to edge it 1-0 at odds of 5/1 with Sky Bet.
