Nov 16, 2012 01:41 AM EST
Norwich vs Manchester United: Preview, Team News, Injuries, Predictions and Expected Lineups

Chris Hughton and Norwich City will be keen for another big scalp at Carrow Road when Manchester United visit in Saturday's English Premier League game.

United sit pretty at the top of the table, two points clear of Manchester rivals City, and three ahead of Chelsea. Were it not for some last-minute heroics in quite a few of United's 11 games so far, Sir Alex Ferguson's side might be finding themselves well behind the leading pack.

But instead, like they always do, United have found a way to get the right results at the right time, with the 3-2 come-from-behind win over Aston Villa last week encapsulating what this season's team have been about.

The addition of Robin Van Persie to the United attacking lineup has done wonders, with every single United player seemingly playing better with the Dutchman in the team. Wayne Rooney and Van Persie can only get better and better playing together, and the duo will be keen to make an impression against Norwich in Saturday's late kickoff.

Ferguson, however, knows it will not be an easy game, particularly keeping in mind Norwich's 1-0 win over Arsenal earlier this season.

"I've got a lot of respect for Chris Hughton," Ferguson told the club's official website. "I think he's done a fantastic job at Birmingham and Newcastle and, with that performance against Arsenal, you think they've maybe turned the corner in terms of Chris' introduction there as manager.

"It's always the same when a manager goes to a new club. There's a different way of training, there are different ideas about players and maybe Chris is getting it together now. I hope not when it comes to our game, mind you! But that performance against Arsenal was very good."

Norwich are slowly but surely finding their feet in the new season, and after a slow start are on a five-match unbeaten run, with Hughton keen to continue that form against their formidable opponents. "You can only prepare the best way you can," he said. "Mentally it's not a problem, because there isn't a player at this club that wouldn't want to be on that team sheet on Saturday.

"These are games you look forward to as a club, as a manager, and as a player.

"You have to be on top of your game because they can score at will, but as we've seen last week and in lots of other games, they can concede, and you've got to make sure that you're very good defensively and also have a threat up front."

Both United and Norwich have no major injury worries, with Jonny Evans expected to be fit after missing last week's game, while Nani remains doubtful.

When Norwich beat Arsenal earlier this season, they put on an impressive defensive show, holding off every single Arsenal attack after taking an early lead through Grant Holt. United are at their best going forward, but have shown they can be beaten at the back, conceding way too many early goals.

If Norwich can score the first goal, and put in a defensive performance equal to the one against Arsenal, they might be in with a chance; however considering United's form going forward, the Norwich defense might just be in for a long evening.

Expected lineups: Norwich: Ruddy; Whittaker, Turner, Bassong, Garrido; Tettey, Johnson, Snodgrass, Hholahan, Pilkington; Holt.

Man United: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Carrick, Scholes, Valencia, Rooney; Van Persie, Hernandez.

Prediction: 3-0 to United

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