United started the day at the bottom of the table but things returned to some semblance of normalcy when the Red Devils beat Norwich 2-1 (BBC, Soccernet, ManUtd.com) at Old Trafford to earn their first win of the 2004/2005 Premiership campaign.
Keane played in the centre of defence once again. His lack of pace resulted in him being caught out on a number of occasions but United need his commanding presence and unflappability to marshall the defence. That said, Ferdinand cannot return soon enough.
United new boy Liam Miller started in the centre of midfield alongside Djemba-Djemba with Giggs and Bellion on the flanks. The midfield unit did well — Giggs, in particular, was in fine form today — but United couldn’t conjure up that many shots on goal despite dominating the play in the first half.
United finally broke the deadlock a minute after Norwich had nearly done so. Bentley (on loan from Arsenal) thumped a shot which rebounded off the crossbar with a resounding thwack and the United counterattack which ensued resulted in a Bellion goal after Smith had flicked on a Giggs cross.
Smith got United’s second five minutes after the restart when he chested a Giggs header and let fly with a left-footed volley which went in the net courtesy of the upright. John Dykes and company can stop looking for their goal of the week.
The win wasn’t as comfortable as it should have been because Norwich caused some anxious moments after pulling one back in the 73rd minute. For a moment it appeared the momentum had swung in the visitors’ favour but Ferguson played his trump card in the 85th minute when he replaced Miller with a tanned Ronaldo. The kid from Madeira came on to resounding cheers and it was business as usual as he showed off his repertoire of tricks and drew a number of fouls in the few minutes he was on. It was good to see him back and full of his usual swagger and confidence.
In other news, Forlan has been sold to Villareal. This seems an odd decision (even considering what a misfire Forlan has been) because United don’t have that many fit strikers at the moment. Saha is due to return for the trip to Blackburn but this still seems an unnecessary gamble. Is Ferguson going to buy a striker before the transfer deadline and if so, who? I doubt the board is going to approve the 20 or so million pounds it will take to pry Rooney from Everton right now.
