Man Utd v Norwich at Old Trafford- LIVE

Last updated : 02 March 2013 By DSG




RVP fit and ready

Robin van Persie will be in the Manchester United squad for the Premier League encounter with Norwich.

Van Persie hurt his hip when he crashed into a TV camera at QPR on Saturday but has recovered and will come into contention.

Ryan Giggs is set to make his 1,000th career appearance but Paul Scholes (knee) and Phil Jones (ankle) are sidelined, although the latter man could be fit for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

Sir Alex Ferguson is adamant Manchester United will take care of the "mundane" matter of the Canaries and not allow themselves to get distracted by the glamour of Real Madrid.

With a 12-point lead over nearest challengers Manchester City, who do not play until their visit to Aston Villa on Monday, and only 11 games remaining, United's Premier League situation could not look much healthier.

Given the blockbuster Champions League duel with Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo is looming on Tuesday, Ferguson and his players could be forgiven if their attention had already begun to wander.

Yet the United boss insists that is not the case, even if his own description of what lies in wait from the Canaries tomorrow hardly appeals.

"Saturday is the important one for us," he said.

"Tuesday will look after itself. That is an occasion whereas tomorrow is the mundane, practical situation - we need to win.

"That is what the concentration is on.

"I can assure you the players will not be thinking about Tuesday at this moment in time.

"All week we've been talking about how important Norwich is."

Norwich will again be without midfielder Alex Tettey because of a knee injury.

On-loan Sporting Kansas City forward Kei Kamara is pressing for a place in the starting XI after coming off the bench to score in the win over Everton.

Winger Andrew Surman (knee) remains out, while England goalkeeper John Ruddy continues his rehabilitation from thigh surgery and is set for a return at the end of March.

Norwich may have beaten United 1-0 at Carrow Road in November, but striker Grant Holt knows Saturday will be a whole new ball game.

"It is one of the biggest challenges," he said.

"But if you look at our record, we do not too badly at the so-called bigger clubs.

"We can only do what we do best, go up there with a plan, stick to that and see where it takes us."

United veteran Giggs is on the verge of his 1,000th senior competitive appearance.

Holt was still at school when Giggs made his United debut in March 1991 and has been impressed by the 39-year-old's longevity.

"Things have certainly got better. I have seen a lot more lads playing a lot longer," he said.

"I haven't got time in the morning to do half the stuff we want to do.

"Personally, I feel the best I have been now in five or six years, so something's gone right somewhere."

Source: DSG

Source: DSG