A typical Manchester United comeback spared David Moyes' blushes in the English Premier League at the weekend. With the Premier League title, though, looking like a distant dream at the moment - of course you can never count United out - Moyes will look at the Capital One Cup as a splendid opportunity at a first trophy as manager of the Old Trafford club.
That silverware hunt continues, when Manchester United host Norwich City in a fourth round League Cup encounter at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
United had to see off the challenge of rivals Liverpool in the previous round, with the Premier League champions winning 1-0 to progress to the next round.
While the match on Tuesday will have nothing like the intensity of that particular game, United will expect nothing short of 100 percent from Norwich, who it must be said have struggled to make an impact in the Premier League so far this season.
"The Norwich game will be a tough challenge but the team did well against Liverpool which was a difficult match and we can hope we can play well again on Tuesday and win the game," United left-back Patrice Evra, who is likely to be rested for the game, told the club's official website.
"It's an important trophy for us and a brilliant competition to play in. And it's one we always want to win. It doesn't matter who plays, whether it's the senior players or the younger players, Manchester United always wants to win. Everyone has that winning mentality at the club and it's our aim to get the victory on Tuesday."
Norwich manager Chris Hughton, whose side needed extra time to get past Watford in the previous round, believes the cup game against United could be seen as an opportunity to put their Premier League troubles behind them, and probably even gain some confidence, particularly in front of goal, with a victory at Old Trafford.
"The question is whether it's a welcome distraction, and of course it is because it means we're still in the cup," said Hughton. "Would we rather be staying at home training or going to play a cup game against Manchester United at Old Trafford? Certainly we'd rather be going there.
"We're taking a very good following and we have to appreciate our supporters who have to travel all that way. We're delighted about that, so we'll be looking to win this game."
Team News: Moyes was boosted by the news of Darren Fletcher returning from illness, with the midfielder playing 67 minutes in the U-21 match against Fulham on Monday night. Fletcher, who has been struggling with ulcerative colitis for a while now, will of course not be included in Tuesday's squad, but Moyes will be pleased to have the option probably in future fixtures.
Moyes will rest most of his stars on Tuesday, which gives the likes of Wilfried Zaha an opportunity to shine. Zaha has not made a single Premier League appearance this season, and Moyes admitted the winger could be sent out on loan.
"I just don't think we have had the right opportunity to get him on as much as would have liked," Moyes said. "We don't want to put him in too quickly. We want to make it the right time.
"I've said I would look at in January as I wanted to have him here for six months to see how we work. I told him we would try to get him minutes but the competition in the wide areas we have with Nani, Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Adnan Januzaj and even Shinji Kagawa playing off the side means we are as strong there as anywhere.
"It's not that Wilf has done anything wrong, it's just that we have big competition and we have to try to make sure he gets some playing time. Unfortunately, we haven't done that with Wilf and, if it's still the case in January, we would look at it. But he is very much in my plans and in my thoughts all the time."
Hughton, who has no new injury worries, also said he will be rotating his squad, but will put out one competitive enough to get a result at Old Trafford.
Key men: Manchester United: Adnan Januzaj made an impact after coming on as a substitute in the 3-2 come-from-behind win over Stoke and will be keen to make an impression with a starting berth expected.
Norwich: Johan Elmander is likely to be given a start and the former Bolton striker could pose United a few problems.
Where to watch
The match is scheduled for a 1.15 am start on Wednesday morning with live coverage on Ten HD and Ten Sports.
Expected lineups: Manchester United: Lindegaard; Rafael, Jones, Evans, Buttner; Fellaini, Giggs; Young, Kagawa, Januzaj; Hernandez.
Norwich: Bunn; Martin, Whittaker, Turner, Garrido; Johnson, Tettey; Redmond, Hoolahan, Pilkington; Elmander.
Prediction: 2-0 to Manchester United
