The first half was not quite as exciting as United's first game against Palace last week, with Telles' free kick being tipped onto the bar.
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Cristiano Ronaldo won and scored a penalty as Manchester United defeated Norwich 1-0, extending Ralf Rangnick’s unblemished start as interim manager in the Premier League. The first half was not quite as exciting as United’s first game against Crystal Palace last week, with Alex Telles’ free kick being tipped onto the crossbar. Norwich were dealt an early blow when captain Grant Hanley was substituted with a shoulder injury after collapsing heavily after a tussle with Ronaldo. He was later seen from the sidelines, his arm in a sling, watching the game.
Dean Smith’s side, on the other hand, showed no ill effects of losing such a vital player as they dominated the second half, with Przemyslaw Placheta, Teemu Pukki, and Josh Sargent all going close. However, if Norwich fans were dissatisfied with Ronaldo’s role in Hanley’s injury, he did little to endear himself to them further when he won a penalty after Max Aarons had grappled him to the ground. The Canaries were enraged by the decision, but Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot (75) to secure Rangnick’s second consecutive Premier League victory and clean sheet.
United owed both of those to David de Gea, who made late saves from Ozan Kabak to earn the man of the match award. In addition, the goalkeeper recorded his 200th career clean sheet. United are now level on points with fourth-placed West Ham, who travel to Burnley on Sunday, and fifth on goal difference. Norwich, who are currently bottom of the Premier League table with 10 points, received an undeserved defeat.
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Norwich started well, but Manchester United came close in the 14th minute. Telles’ free kick pinged off Sargent’s head in the wall, forcing Tim Krul to make a leaping save to push the effort over the crossbar.
Despite a promising start, Norwich was dealt an early injury blow that they cannot afford. With illness, Covid-19 positive tests, and injuries already forcing Dean Smith to make five changes, captain Hanley was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury. After a tussle with Ronaldo down the right, he landed heavily on it, prompting Norwich fans to boo the forward for the rest of the game.
However, the Canaries came within a whisker of winning just before the half-hour mark. Placheta, making his Premier League debut, sent the ball in from the right and easily beat Scott McTominay. His pass was intercepted by Lukas Rupp, who passed it to Pukki just behind him, but the ball struck the striker on the shin before bouncing away from his feet.
