Highlights and report: Rashford (2) Martial and Greenwood net as Man Utd return to winning ways
Saturday 11 January 2020 20:12, UK
Marcus Rashford scored twice as Manchester United returned to winning ways with a thumping 4-0 victory over bottom side Norwich at Old Trafford.
On his 200th appearance for United, Rashford tucked home a sublime Juan Mata cross to put the hosts ahead (27), before he doubled his and the hosts' tally just after the break with a penalty (52).
United put the game to bed two minutes later through Anthony Martial's header from another Mata cross (54), while Mason Greenwood put the icing on the cake with a fine low finish from outside the box, just five minutes after coming on (76).
The next step is for United to gain some consistency, but this was a move in the right direction; they're up to fifth, five points off fourth place, while Norwich stay bottom, seven clear of safety.
United dominated early on, but found a yellow wall in their way, meaning a piece of brilliance was needed. That came in the form of Mata's ball for Rashford, curled beautifully to the far post from the right, allowing the England man to turn home from close range with his left foot.
The hosts continued to push for a second, and dominated the next 15 minutes, with Norwich failing to register a shot, or indeed a cross into the box, until the final minute of the half.
United had David de Gea to thank for keeping them ahead on that occasion, brilliantly saving low to his left to deny Todd Cantwell from 15 yards during a rare Norwich break.
But United turned it on again straight after the break with two goals in three minutes. First, after Brandon Williams was hauled down in the box by Tim Krul, Rashford tucked home the penalty as the goalkeeper failed to get enough on it despite guessing correctly.
Then, from another fine Mata cross from the right, Martial rose well to power a header into the bottom left corner from 10 yards.
Moments later, Williams missed a sitter at the far post from Andreas Pereira's centre, but it was soon 4-0 as Greenwood confidently tucked home from 20 yards through a crowd, just minutes after being subbed on, for his ninth goal in all competitions.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted a result and reaction, and got both at Old Trafford, as United look to form a consistent run to put pressure on Chelsea and the rest of the top four.
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "Very, very happy with everything. Attitude, work-rate. When the opposition manager can sit back and think: 'Wow, that Manchester United side do work.' We were still working, working and pressing, at 3-0 and 4-0. That's what I want from my team. I want to see that attitude every game.
"We just keep carrying on, keep calm, keep improving and looking at the next game. We keep working behind the scenes, and the work being done is fantastic. The lads have a great attitude towards it.
On the transfer window, Solskjaer also said: "You know, I've really got the backing from the owners, from Ed. They know, and I know, that we have resources, if the right one becomes available, if for the right money.
"They've been so good with me, so for me it might happen, it might not, it depends if we find the one for the right value, but the backing is there."
Norwich boss Daniel Farke: "Today we have to accept the loss, because United were much the better side. The crucial moment, an unnecessary penalty, was the second goal. When you are 3-0 down against probably the best counter-attacking side in the whole lead, it is difficult to be competitive."
United now host Wolves in the FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday at 7.45pm, before going to Liverpool on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 4.30pm. Norwich host Bournemouth at 3pm on Saturday in the Premier League.
