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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Charlotte Duncker

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has another Manchester United undroppable after Norwich win

Scott McTominay

As the players went through their shooting practice ahead of kick off it was McTominay who was impressing with his sharp finishing so it shouldn't have come as any surprise that it was the Scotland international who put United 1-0 with a great finish from outside the area.

Unfairly hailed as a Jose Mourinho favourite, the midfielder has shown this season why he's so important for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and has made himself undroppable with his performances this campaign.

In the first half at Carrow Road he completed 100% of his take ons and made the most passes of anyone on the pitch. He's become a driving force in the middle and should continue to thrive once Paul Pogba is back from injury.

Another assured performance has further cemented his place in the starting XI and he's gone from being a squad player to an integral part of United's system.

Penalty taker

It's not the first time this season that questions have been asked as to why United don't have a designated penalty taker. Solskjaer refused to name a first choice spot kick taker earlier in the season when Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba were seen debating on the pitch who would take it against Wolves and it's clearly still an issue.

Rashford confidently strolled up to take the first penalty against Norwich after VAR deemed Daniel James was brought down in the area but he struck it weakly and it was easy for Tim Krul to save.

Somewhat surprisingly it was Anthony Martial who stepped up to take United's second penalty of the first half which too was saved by Krul. Rashford has scored two penalties this season and if it's decided he's the designated penalty taker they need to stick with him, not switch things about because he misses.

Krul denies United rout

With Martial back from injury United were playing the best attacking football of the season pulling the home side from pillar to post with a front three of Martial, Rashford and Daniel James.

If it hadn't been for two penalty saves and an impressive stop to deny Martial from point blank range United would have gone in at the break 5-0 up.

Norwich have already been on the receiving end of a five goal battering this season and if it hadn't been for the heroics of Krul it would have happened again.

Premier League away win

The win against Partizan Belgrade meant United had ended their drought of 232 days without an away win and victory at Carrow Road ensured a first Premier League away win for eight months since their last away win in the league and that was against Crystal Palace.

A convincing display that should give the team confidence heading into another difficult couple of away fixtures with Chelsea away in the League Cup on Wednesday and Bournemouth away next Saturday.

Solskjaer is adamant they don't worry themselves with records or statistics such which could mean he will have little to no interest in knowing that Scott McTominay's opener was United's 2,000 goal in the Premier League. The first team to reach that tally.

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