English league powerhouses Manchester United take on Norwich in gameweek 17 of the Premier League on Saturday, 19 December. On-paper, the Red Devils look the stronger side, but Louis van Gaal's side have been unable to get a win in their last three EPL games; their latest fixture turning out to be a 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth.
Nevertheless, the Red Devils will be looking for the home advantage today to try and get a favourable result. The recent performances of Manchester United have made the fans a bit disgruntled, and the club knows the importance of turning around their recent poor form.
While United remain fourth in the table with 29 points from 16 games, Norwich battle relegation as they are currently on the 18th spot with just 14 points this season.
The big news for the home side remains the possible return of Wayne Rooney after an injury layoff. However, it needs to be seen whether Van Gaal gives him full confidence and allows him a berth in the starting XI.
Van Gaal has revealed that he is under pressure to deliver, as the results aren't just coming for his team. "I have the full confidence of my board and my players, I feel. But we have to get results," the Dutchman said. "We have to win, and we know that - the players know it, I know it and my staff know it.
"We have to win because when you lose too much, also for me it's the end of the world."
Norwich, who have not won any of their last four EPL games, will nevertheless be looking for a good performance at Old Trafford today. "The disappointing thing for me is with this squad, we should have more points on the board," club manager Alex Neil said.
"We as a group are more than capable, if we play as well as we can, of putting back-to-back wins together."
Norwich held Arsenal 1-1 earlier this season on 29 November, and will be looking to emulating a similar result today.
Injury news
Man Utd: Matteo Darmian (hamstring), Antonio Valencia (ankle), Luke Shaw (leg), Jesse Lingard (hamstring), Marcos Rojo (shoulder).
Norwich: Andre Wisdom (hamstring), Matt Jarvis (knee).
Possible starting XI
Man Utd: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Blind, Varela; Carrick, Schneiderlin; Mata, Rooney, Depay; Martial.
Norwich: Rudd; Bennett, Bassong, Martin, Olsson; Howson, Brady, Tettey, Dorrans; Hoolahan, Jerome.
Where to watch the game
Manchester United vs Norwich is scheduled to kick-off at 3 pm GMT (8:30 pm IST, 10 am EST) on Saturday, 19 December.
In India, viewers can catch the game on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports HD 1. Online streaming will be available on Starsports.com and Hotstar (delayed start).
In the UK and Ireland, radio commentary of the game will be available on Absolute Radio.
In the US, viewers can catch the game on the USA Network. Online streaming will be available on NBC Sports Live Extra. Radio commentary of the game will be available on Westwood One Sports.
MUTV will also broadcast the game live.
