Norwich vs Manchester United match report: Juan Mata goal keeps Champions League hopes alive

Norwich City 0 Manchester United 1

Juan Mata celebrates after putting Manchester United ahead against Norwich (Getty)

Norwich City stumbled closer to the abyss with a 1-0 home defeat by Manchester United, whose manager Louis van Gaal moved further away from it and even within sight of the green pastures of the Champions League that could preserve his job.

They had looked a long way distant when the Norfolk side won 2-1 at Old Trafford in December during United's worst run of the season. Now, who knows? Jose Mourinho continues to lurk in the shadows, but is apparently unsure whether he will be summoned this summer or have to wait until Van Gaal's contract runs out 12 months later.

With an FA Cup final to come, his side moved one point behind the top four ahead of Sunday's meeting between Manchester City and Arsenal, the two clubs immediately in front of them.

Meanwhile Norwich must wait and hope. After four games without so much as a goal, they have another chance at home to Watford on Wednesday but have run out of form at just the wrong time.

Manager Alex Neil put his faith in Cameron Jerome, who had three goals in 33 previous appearances this season, the last of them in the Old Trafford match five months ago. Only three minutes into this game he missed a glorious opportunity to repeat it and put his team on the front foot, heading Nathan Redmond's perfect cross downward but straight at goalkeeper David De Gea.

It was as good a chance as Norwich had and not one they could afford to pass up.

“It's a repeat of our season,” Neil said. “They weren't really hurting us but it's another mistake and a goal. It's not over, but it's a major blow. It looks a real tough situation.”

They will also be without midfielder Jonny Howson for the last two games.

Juan Mata shoots at goal during Manchester United's match with Norwich (Getty)

Despite the importance of the occasion, United rested Marcus Rashford and Daley Blind altogether because of the number of games they have played recently - a 'bonkers' decision according to Paul Scholes. They then had to pull Anthony Martial out after a problem in the warm-up, promoting Ander Herrera and pushing Wayne Rooney further forward as the main striker.

The role did not appear to suit him after his recent efforts in midfield but after a mere dozen touches in the first half, he produced three vital ones to set up the impressive Juan Mata for the only goal following Sebastien Bassong's error.

Van Gaal, who also lost full-back Matteo Darmian with what looked an ankle injury, said his team were now depending on Arsenal to beat City. “I said to the boys we had it was more than deserved. We keep the pressure on our competitors and I am a happy manager.

“They were also fighting and pressing and it makes it difficult. The second half we did much better because we kept the ball and had more than one chance.”

Wayne Rooney battles with Norwich defender Sebastian Bassong (Getty)

As well as Rooney's 12 touches, the first half yielded just the one attempt on target for each side, of which United's was a tame shot from Jesse Lingaard, easily fielded by John Ruddy. De Gea would have had greater difficulty than that with Jerome's early header had it been placed to either side of him.

When Norwich prepared to bring on Dieumerci Mbokani just after the hour, Jerome must have feared his number was up but it was Robbie Brady's on the board. Mbokani had just wasted a chance of his own, meeting Wes Hoolahan's fine cross with his shoulder, when United broke out to score.

Bassong missed Antonio Valencia's ball forward, which Rooney controlled and laid on for Mata to drive in.


 Rooney set-up Mata to score the winning goal (Getty)
 (2016 Getty Images)

It meant disappointment for Adnan Januzaj, who had been about to make a rare appearance following 45 minutes for the Under-21 side at Chelsea on Friday night.

The more defensively secure Morgan Schneiderlin came on instead and put a late chance supplied by Rooney wide as home supporters prayed in vain for a repeat of the last-minute goal that had won the game against Newcastle and given them renewed hope a month ago.

Teams

Norwich (4-2-3-1): Ruddy; Pinto, Martin, Bassong, Olsson; Howson (Dorrans, 78), O'Neil; Redmond, Hoolahan, Brady (Mbokani, 63); Jerome (Bamford, 78).

Man Utd (4-1-4-1): De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Darmian ((Borthwick-Jackson, 15); Carrick (Fosu-Mensah, 87); Mata, Herrera, Lingard (Schneiderlin, 77), Memphis; Rooney.

Referee: Craig Pawson.

Match rating: 6/10.

Man of match: Mata.