Manchester United finally secured an away win in the Premier League and it was an overwhelming positive performance. Despite two missed penalties, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side strolled to a 3-1 victory in East Anglia.
Norwich were batted away on a number of occasions and goals came for Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay.
Perhaps there could have been more goals and United shouldn’t have conceded late on but here’s a look at the Reds’ best players at Carrow Road…
Anthony Martial
The return of the Frenchman could change United’s fortunes this season. Martial has immediately taken up the central striking position and suits it far more than Rashford. The pair work well together and Rashford is a much bigger threat on the left flank.
Martial denied by a fantastic Tim Krul save from an early header and the Dutch ‘keeper stopped his penalty, too. Those were two low points but his second-half goal took the goal away from an improving Norwich and was of world-class quality.
The 22-year-old began the move with a dribble and a pass to Rashford. After a neat backheel from his partner, Martial delicately lofted the ball above Krul and just over the line. It was a demonstration of just how good he can be.
Marcus Rashford
Rashford looks like a different player on the left flank when he has the opportunity to run at players. It’s a fearsome sight. Rashford is quick, skilful and direct on the wing. As a striker, he lacks in a number of departments. That’s not so true when Martial pushes him out wide.
His goal showed good movement, an excellent first touch and a clinical finish through Krul’s legs. It’s another confidence booster after a goal against Liverpool last weekend. He will be helped by Martial’s arrival into the side. It takes the pressure off.
The one negative was a poor penalty that Krul stopped. He did score moments later, though.
Scott McTominay
Committed and lively, McTominay’s midfield performance was exemplary and his goal was well-taken. It’s his second in the last month. He gifted Norwich possession for their only goal and that is an area he must improve in.
However, he ran the midfield in all senses. There were storming, incisive dribbles to the heart of the Norwich defence, good passes out wide and constant interceptions. McTominay is having a good spell and proving vital to United. He loses possession too much and there are other weaknesses to his game but in this match against relegation candidates, he impressed.
Harry Maguire
United’s captain on Thursday night, Maguire is a constant in the starting line-up. No one is talking about his record-breaking pricetag because he’s showing himself to be worth £80m.
He’s composed and deals with the mistakes of Fred, McTominay and Andreas Pereira. Lindelof looks more assured next to Maguire and the pair are reasonably solid.
There are frequent moments throughout the game when Maguire controls the ball, shields it from a defender and starts a spell of United possession or an attack. Other defenders don’t do that, particularly not United’s. It’s been a great start for him and this was another good day.
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