Manchester United 4-0 Norwich: Hernandez scores twice and sends a message to Moyes
Manchester United 4-0 Norwich: Hernandez scores twice and sends a message to Moyes
Zaha finally makes first competitive start for his new club in Capital One Cup stroll but gets outshone by Mexican striker
Chichari-two: The Mexican scored twice for United
Matthew Peters
Javier Hernandez underlined Manchester United’s depth of forward talent with the goals that propelled them into
the quarter-finals.
Hernandez,
who scored United’s winner against Liverpool in the previous round, continued his Capital One Cup heroics with a double strike.
With
Robin
van Persie and Wayne Rooney ahead of him in the pecking order,
Hernandez has had to show patience, making just four starts for United
this season.
But Hernandez, fresh from netting United’s winner in their 3-2 comeback win over Stoke on Saturday, provided a timely reminder of his predatory touch in front of goal.
United
assistant boss Steve Round, who faced the media post-match in place of
David Moyes, said Hernandez had not let his lack of starts affect him
this season.
“He’s such a good character, I don’t think it’s fazed
him at all,” said Round. “He’s a really infectious character who loves
to score goals. He has waited patiently for his opportunities and taken
them.
“This club is used to winning. It has a winning mentality. We move on to Fulham after this, that’s how it is.”
Despite
their
less than convincing start to life under Moyes, particularly in the
Premier League, this was United’s third straight win and they remain
unbeaten in six games.
“You need to go on runs in this league and
this club is the best in the business at doing that,” said Round. “You
do build momentum with wins like this.”
Moyes utilised his squad,
with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, United’s most experienced central
defensive pairing, starting a League Cup tie together for the first
time.
Keeper
Anders Lindegaard and winger Wilfried Zaha, a £15million summer capture
from Crystal Palace, were both handed their first appearances of the season. Robert Snodgrass is stretchered off after a clash of heads
John Peters
Moyes’s reluctance to
use Zaha, when United’s other wide men have hardly been pulling up trees
this season, since the Community Shield, has been puzzling, his
inclusion long overdue.
United
made the breakthrough when rising star Adnan Januzaj worked his way to
the byline and was brought down by Leroy Fer as he tried to work his way
past the Norwich midfielder.
The
visitors protested to ref Kevin Friend, who had no hesitation in
awarding a penalty, and Hernandez stepped up to convert from the spot
for his third goal of the season.
Although
impressive on the ball, Zaha was upstaged by Januzaj, who was a constant
threat, showcasing his full repertoire of tricks and playing with a
maturity beyond his 18 years.
Januzaj
came close to doubling United’s lead in the 35th minute when he
dispatched a wonderful curling effort from 25 yards, which flew just
wide of Mark Bunn’s right-hand post.
A
minute before the break, Januzaj continued his electrifying display,
slaloming his way through the Norwich defence before seeing his
goalbound effort blocked.
United
claimed their second goal in the 53rd minute, Alex Buttner producing a
fine delivery for Hernandez, who scored with a second header after his
first attempt was saved.
Phil
Jones scored United’s third in the 86th minute with a fine volley, while
substitute Fabio claimed the fourth, converting from close-range in
added time from fellow sub Wayne Rooney’s ball.
The
game was stopped for eight minutes in the 57th minute when Robert
Snodgrass suffered a clash of heads with Rafael that left the Norwich
midfielder out cold.
Snodgrass
was rolled onto his side by United keeper Lindegaard, and needed an oxygen mask before he was taken off on a stretcher.
Norwich boss Chris Hughton said: “He has gone to a local hospital, very much as a precaution. He was out for a period of time.
“I think they’ll do tests, just to make sure nothing’s broken. Whether he’ll be kept in overnight, I don’t know.”
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