Norwich 0 - 1 United

DDG

Valencia Smalling Rojo Darmian(Borthwick-Jackson)

Carrick(Fosu-Mensah) Herrera

Mata Lingard(Schneiderlin) Memphis

Rooney

God that was boring. But we won and that's what counts at the end of the day. If City slip tomorrow against Arsenal, then our destiny will be in our own hands. Two wins and we qualify for proper European football, not the Europa League shit. Yes, the Europa League is probably more exciting for a great away day (for those travelling, I mean) but do we really want to play in the group stages with teams like Midtjylland(yes, I googled the name)? No. This football club should be going toe-to-toe with Europe's elite. 

Anyway, about the game....well, what can I say? The quality shown by both teams was shocking. Norwich are poor and that's why they are going down. For our level, we are poor too, and that's why we are in 5th. Apart from the goal, I don't think we even tested their goalie. As for them, they had one big chance at the beginning of the game but they fluffed it. It's like no one tried to take the initiative to win the game. What's most puzzling is that both teams really NEEDED the three points, yet their eagerness to win the points at stake didn't really show. We won the game after Rooney did something that looked really good on the eye but I think he almost threw the chance away and was only saved by a good Mata run. When through on goal, he should have hit the ball first time but took a touch too many. He must have been been relieved to turn and see Mata in a very good position. Nothing will convince me that he knew where Mata was before he did that turn from two Norwich defenders. 

Valencia had a decent game. Smalling was solid. Rojo, I just don't trust him. Darmian had to be subbed off early and his replacement, Borthwick-Jackson, had a difficult game. Memphis was shite, I hope he comes out of his shell next season. I've got no doubt that this guy has got talent but he's really really short of confidence. Well, he's been short of confidence all season long with the exception of our Champions League play-off game and the home game vs. Midtjylland. Lingard was quiet. Mata scored the winner. Rooney was as quiet as Lingard. Poor, poor game. 

We live in hope though. A slip by City tomorrow will give us a great chance but we still have a lot of work to do. We're playing West Ham this Tuesday and it happens to be their last game at their Boleyn Ground. No doubt their fans will be extra noisy on Tuesday and that will only spur their players on. Tough test that and, judging by today's performance, I'm not really confident. Having said that, West Ham have just been trounced by Swansea today so their chances of Champions League football next year are virtually impossible. I'll be working in Slovenia this Tuesday so I probably won't blog after the game but I'll make sure I watch it. 

We really can save a very very very shitty season. Come on United!


P.s. Highlight of the game? Mata running to a United fan and his dad just after the game. Brilliant.