EFL Cup
Man UtdManchester United4NorwichNorwich City0

Manchester United 4-0 Norwich City

Javier Hernandez celebrates scoring against Norwich

Manchester United strolled into the Capital One Cup last eight as Javier Hernandez's double helped end Norwich's hopes of an Old Trafford upset.

The Mexican converted from the spot after Adnan Januzaj had been brought down by Leroy Fer before nodding in after the break.

Phil Jones rifled home a volley before Fabio crowned the win with a precise finish from Wayne Rooney's lofted pass.

Johan Elmander poked wide from a good, but rare, chance for the visitors.

An apparently serious injury to Robert Snodgrass, who was carried off after a clash of heads, added to Norwich's disappointment.

The victory extended United's unbeaten run to six games and, despite some indifferent performances during that time, there does seem to be some momentum building after a stuttering start to manager David Moyes's reign.

Moyes will have been particularly pleased by Hernandez and Belgian teenager Januzaj, who carried the vast majority of the hosts' attacking threat, staking convincing claims to more regular first-team action.

In the opposing dug-out, Chris Hughton was left to contemplate a toothless display as his struggling Norwich side rarely caused Manchester United any discomfort. They have taken a draw and three defeats from four games in October.

Manchester United's £15m winger Wilfried Zaha made his first appearance since August's 2-0 Community Shield win over Wigan - as both sides fielded much-changed starting line-ups and took time to settle.

Norwich's Nathan Redmond sent a shot trailing wide after skipping into the United box, but the visitors were up against it soon afterwards as Hernandez sent goalkeeper Mark Bunn the wrong way from the penalty spot to open the scoring.

Hughton's players complained loudly and at length over referee Kevin Friend's decision to award a spot-kick for Fer's challenge on Januzaj, but rarely showed as much energy in attack.

Lone striker Elmander did get some much-needed support as the visitors improved markedly at the start of the second half.

But the Swede could only flick Redmond's cross into the advertising hoardings and three minutes later Hernandez forced in Alexander Buttner's cross at the second attempt as the visitors' revival proved short-lived.

A lengthy break in play following Snodgrass's collision with Rafael robbed the game of rhythm, before United finished strongly to add further gloss to the scoreline.

After Jones had swept home a sweet volley, Fabio collected substitute Wayne Rooney's chip forward and slipped home a near-post finish in the second of 11 minutes of injury time.

Norwich return to the north-west to play Manchester City on Saturday and, with five points separating them from the bottom of the Premier League table, may accept the end of the Cup run in exchange for three points at the weekend.

Manchester United assistant manger Steve Round: "Javier Hernandez is such a good character. I don't think [his lack of first-team action this season] has fazed him at all.

"He is a really infectious character who loves to score goals.

"He has waited patiently for his opportunities and when he gets them he has taken them."

Norwich manager Chris Hughton: "We could have been better on the ball.

"But we were given a penalty against us which was incredibly soft.

"To have a penalty given against us, in that fashion, as soft as that, really gives Manchester United a lift and deflates you.

"But they scored good goals, they have got great quality and they are clinical in everything they do."

Line-ups

Man Utd

Formation 4-4-1-1

  • 13Lindegaard
  • 2da Silva
  • 28Büttner
  • 4Jones
  • 5Ferdinand
  • 15Vidic
  • 29ZahaSubstituted forRooneyat 78'minutes
  • 23CleverleySubstituted forOliveiraat 90'minutes
  • 14Hernández
  • 44JanuzajSubstituted forda Silvaat 90+3'minutes
  • 18Young

Substitutes

  • 8Oliveira
  • 10Rooney
  • 11Giggs
  • 12Smalling
  • 22da Silva
  • 25A Valencia
  • 40Amos

Norwich

Formation 4-4-2

  • 13Bunn
  • 3Whittaker
  • 18Garrido
  • 10Fer
  • 5Bassong
  • 24Bennett
  • 7SnodgrassSubstituted forPilkingtonat 65'minutes
  • 4Johnson
  • 16Elmander
  • 14HoolahanSubstituted forHooperat 89'minutes
  • 22RedmondSubstituted forMurphyat 76'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Martin
  • 8Howson
  • 11Hooper
  • 12Pilkington
  • 19Becchio
  • 20Nash
  • 31Murphy
Referee:
Kevin Friend

Match Stats

Home TeamMan UtdAway TeamNorwich
Possession
Home63%
Away37%
Shots
Home17
Away6
Shots on Target
Home7
Away2
Corners
Home6
Away1
Fouls
Home10
Away12

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Manchester United 4, Norwich City 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Manchester United 4, Norwich City 0.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United).

  4. Post update

    Gary Hooper (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  5. Post update

    Josh Murphy (Norwich City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

  7. Post update

    Attempt missed. Javier Hernández (Manchester United) header from very close range is close, but misses to the right.

  8. Goal!

    Goal! Manchester United 4, Norwich City 0. Fabio (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Wayne Rooney.

  9. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester United. Fabio replaces Adnan Januzaj.

  10. Post update

    Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Sébastien Bassong.

  11. Post update

    Ashley Young (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Johan Elmander (Norwich City).

  13. Post update

    Foul by Alexander Büttner (Manchester United).

  14. Post update

    Anthony Pilkington (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  15. Post update

    Attempt missed. Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester United. Anderson replaces Tom Cleverley.

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, Norwich City. Gary Hooper replaces Wes Hoolahan.

  18. Goal!

    Goal! Manchester United 3, Norwich City 0. Phil Jones (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner following a corner.

  19. Post update

    Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Sébastien Bassong.

  20. Post update

    Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Ryan Bennett.