Old boy leaves Reds bleeding
19 Nov 2012 7:50 AM IST
Manchester United spurned an opportunity to regain first place in the Premier League table when they were stunned 1-0 at Norwich City on Saturday. Last year’s champions Manchester City had moved to the top of the table earlier in the afternoon thanks to a 5-0 home victory over Aston Villa.
And a header on the hour by Norwich winger Anthony Pilkington, a former United trainee, ended up consigning Alex Ferguson’s side to their third defeat of the season after only 12 matches.
United were forced to do without Wayne Rooney because of tonsilitis but fellow striker Robin van Persie had been passed fit after missing a mid-week international friendly because of a thigh strain. Anders Lindegaard kept goal for the visitors, with youngster Sam Johnstone on the bench because David de Gea had to visit the dentist because of a swollen jaw. The visitors made a bright start, with van Persie forcing Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy into an early save as Roy Hodgson, the England manager, watched from the stands.
Norwich replied with efforts from Robert Snodgrass and Pilkington that only narrowly failed to hit the target and that was also the case at the other end, where Ryan Giggs’ corner was hit first time by van Persie. Snodgrass was involved in much of the home side’s best moments before the break and fired in a shot on the turn that went wide. The second half began with United continuing to play at a slow tempo and were punished on the hour mark when they failed to deal with a swift Norwich attack. Wes Hoolahan teed Garrido up for a cross from the left that Pilkington, having arrived ahead of Chris Smalling, headed high past Lindegaard.
With 20 minutes remaining, United went all out to core the equaliser, but Norwich held its ground.
RONALDO WELCOME BACK: FERGIE
Cristiano Ronaldo would always be welcomed back to play for Manchester United but manager Alex Ferguson doubts he will return because the Real Madrid man is now ‘unbuyable.’
‘I’d like to think the door would always be open for him to come back, but I don’t think it will happen. You’re talking about incredible amounts of money now. What would you think his value would be? He’s definitely unbuyable. Who could afford to buy him? There’s talk of the Russians perhaps. But do you think he would go to Russia? He complained about the weather here, let alone the middle of winter in Russia,’ Ferguson said.
Ronaldo won three Premier League titles at United as well as the Champions League in 2008.
And a header on the hour by Norwich winger Anthony Pilkington, a former United trainee, ended up consigning Alex Ferguson’s side to their third defeat of the season after only 12 matches.
United were forced to do without Wayne Rooney because of tonsilitis but fellow striker Robin van Persie had been passed fit after missing a mid-week international friendly because of a thigh strain. Anders Lindegaard kept goal for the visitors, with youngster Sam Johnstone on the bench because David de Gea had to visit the dentist because of a swollen jaw. The visitors made a bright start, with van Persie forcing Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy into an early save as Roy Hodgson, the England manager, watched from the stands.
Norwich replied with efforts from Robert Snodgrass and Pilkington that only narrowly failed to hit the target and that was also the case at the other end, where Ryan Giggs’ corner was hit first time by van Persie. Snodgrass was involved in much of the home side’s best moments before the break and fired in a shot on the turn that went wide. The second half began with United continuing to play at a slow tempo and were punished on the hour mark when they failed to deal with a swift Norwich attack. Wes Hoolahan teed Garrido up for a cross from the left that Pilkington, having arrived ahead of Chris Smalling, headed high past Lindegaard.
With 20 minutes remaining, United went all out to core the equaliser, but Norwich held its ground.
RONALDO WELCOME BACK: FERGIE
Cristiano Ronaldo would always be welcomed back to play for Manchester United but manager Alex Ferguson doubts he will return because the Real Madrid man is now ‘unbuyable.’
‘I’d like to think the door would always be open for him to come back, but I don’t think it will happen. You’re talking about incredible amounts of money now. What would you think his value would be? He’s definitely unbuyable. Who could afford to buy him? There’s talk of the Russians perhaps. But do you think he would go to Russia? He complained about the weather here, let alone the middle of winter in Russia,’ Ferguson said.
Ronaldo won three Premier League titles at United as well as the Champions League in 2008.
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