Manchester United will aim to tighten their grip on the 2012-13 Premier League title when they face Norwich at Old Trafford this Saturday.
The Red Devils are like a runaway train at the top of the table this season, and with a 12-point lead over Manchester City with just 11 games to go, Manchester United are in an incredible position in their pursuit of a record 20th league crown.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men are in a terrific run of form right now, having not lost a match in nearly three months when Romanian outfit CFR Cluj beat them 1-0 at Old Trafford on December 5 in the Champions League.
Their last defeat in the Premier League came on November 17 against their next opponents Norwich at Carrow Road. The Canaries are now presented with the rare chance of committing a league double over their opponents this Saturday.
Norwich have been in reasonable form of late and are undefeated in their past four Premier League outings. They are fresh from a 2-1 win over sixth-placed Everton and before that registered draws against Tottenham and Fulham.
But like for most teams, Old Trafford has proved to be a difficult place to pick up points from for Norwich. The Canaries last got a result there in December 1993 when they held the Red Devils to a 2-2 draw. Their last win at Old Trafford came more than four years earlier in the form of a 2-0 win in August 1989.
Norwich's task will be made easier by the fact that star United striker Robin van Persie will miss the clash due to a bizzare hip injury sustained after he collided with a camera last weekend. There are also suggestions that, given United's huge lead in the league, Ferguson could be tempted to rest the vast majority of his best 11 in preparation for their vital second-leg round-of-16 Champions League fixture with Spanish giants Real Madrid.
However, in a bid to increase his fitness prior to the Champions League clash against Real Madrid, Wayne Rooney will play for Manchester United. Rooney only got 30 minutes playing time against QPR last weekend, and will need to be on his best form if United are to overcome Real Madrid and progress to the latter stages of the competition.
Ryan Giggs is set to make his 1000th senior appearance this weekend. The Welshman has continued his fine form of scoring in the last 23 league campaigns, and his recent goal against QPR has proven he is fresh and raring to go. Sir Alex Ferguson may give the Welshman the armband this weekend, in commemoration for his achievements at the club.
Manchester United Last Six Results: W W W D W W
23/02/2013 – QPR 0 – 2 Manchester United
18/02/2013 – Manchester United 2 – 1 Reading
13/02/2013 – Real Madrid 1 – 1 Manchester United
10/02/2013 – Manchester United 2 – 0 Everton
02/02/2013 – Fulham 0 – 1 Manchester United
30/01/2013 – Manchester United 2 – 1 Southampton
Manchester United Probable Line Up: David De Gea; Rafael, Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling, Patrice Evra; Luis Nani, Tom Cleverley, Ryan Giggs, Ashley Young; Chicharito, Wayne Rooney.
Norwich Probable Line Up: Bunn; Martin, Bassong, Turner, Garrido; Johnson, Horwson, Snodgrass, Hoolahan; Holt, Becchio.
Source: DSG
