Norwich V Man City at Carrow Road - Match Preview




Young and Welbeck set to return

Ashley Young and Danny Welbeck could both be back to bolster Manchester United's attacking options against West Brom.

The pair missed the Boxing Day win over Newcastle with minor ailments, but Sir Alex Ferguson expects both men to be available.

Shinji Kagawa (knee) may also be involved for the first time since October, but Wayne Rooney (knee) and Phil Jones miss out and veterans Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are expected to be rested.

Four clean sheets in all competitions represents a pretty poor return this season for a team so adept at defending.

Yet, much as the room for improvement is obvious, as veteran winger Giggs says, it is almost churlish to complain given the overall position.

"At the moment it's a case of the team scoring more than the opposition," said Giggs.

"We've not had too many clean sheets which is what we all want, but to we can't complain at where we are at the moment.

"We're top of the league with a bit of daylight between ourselves and City and we've got through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League."

The return of skipper Nemanja Vidic may have a positive impact once the Serbian gets his match fitness back.

Vidic may be involved against a West Brom side who are one of the surprise packages this season.

And if previous performances are any guide, United cannot believe they would be able to fall behind three times and still pull the situation around, as was the case on Wednesday.

"I'm not surprised to see Steve Clarke do a great job," said Giggs.

"He's had a few assistant manager jobs but he's taken control of the team now and taken them to that next level.

"West Brom were already a very side team under Roy Hodgson.

"They are organised and score goals and I think they could stay around the top for a while.

"It all depends on injuries and suspensions. If they keep everyone fit then they'll have a great chance.

"Confidence will be high that's for sure because they are not in a false position.

"I have seen a few of their games and they've performed really well.

"Tomorrow will be a really tough game for us."

"I'm not surprised to see Steve Clarke do a great job," said Giggs.

"He's had a few assistant manager jobs but he's taken control of the team now and taken them to that next level.

"West Brom were already a very side team under Roy Hodgson.

"They are organised and score goals and I think they could stay around the top for a while.

"It all depends on injuries and suspensions. If they keep everyone fit then they'll have a great chance.

"Confidence will be high that's for sure because they are not in a false position.

"I have seen a few of their games and they've performed really well.

"Tomorrow will be a really tough game for us."

Keith Downing is hoping Albion can cause United the kind of problems defensively that Sir Alex Ferguson admits are a cause for concern.

He said: "I think you are looking at their strengths and weaknesses and Sir Alex has mentioned there is a cause for concern with the goals they have conceded.

"But they have top quality players. Vidic is coming back and in Smalling and Jones, they have a lot of individual quality there.

"I'm sure that is something they will be working on but there is an opportunity to go there, particularly after the two wins, with a freedom to our game and hopefully we can give them a few problems."

The Baggies have a trio of fresh injury doubts.

Defenders Jonas Olsson (groin) and Goran Popov (hamstring) and midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu (hamstring) all sustained injuries during the Boxing Day win at QPR.

Another midfielder in Claudio Yacob (hamstring) remains sidelined and as a result Albion have recalled George Thorne from a loan spell at Peterborough.


Source: PA

Source: PA