'A hairdryer is useless on bald men. Its blasts produce only hot air that cools and changes nothing. Manchester United are receding and this game laid bare the gradual erosion of Sir Alex Ferguson’s powers.
Any team can lose, but United are not supposed to succumb, to look impotent, to seem ageing rather than experienced. In the summer, Ferguson may have to stop playing the stylist and turn Sweeney Todd. Going for the jugular and cutting out a few faltering squad members may be his best hope of refreshing a club that has lost its natural ability to produce perpetual excellence. If he wants to win the most significant trophies again, it is no use trying to comb over the cracks.
The chants from the section of visiting fans were retro: "**** off to the Nationwide", "We’re going to Wembley"; the result distinctly modern in the way that it showcased United’s vulnerability. This at the stadium that was once a route marker on United’s path to invincibility. The sides met at Carrow Road in early April 1993. Chasing their first Premiership title, United came into the fixture in third place. Norwich City were top. United ran out 3-1 victors and went on to win their final six matches, taking the title at a canter.
If that was a game that proved a key foundation stone of United’s decade of dominance, was this, Ferguson’s 500th in the Premiership, another sign that his construction is crumbling and that he is not the architect he once was? Twenty Premiership matches unbeaten until Saturday is one factor in his defence. Another mitigating circumstance was next weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Newcastle United. Roy Keane, one yellow card from suspension, was rested. Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy began on the bench.
That, and deploying Louis Saha as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation, would once have been interpreted as typical United self-assurance: the belief that even a weakened side should be able to roll over the worst team in the Premiership. As early as half-time it was revealed as complacency, confidence compromised by an unawareness of flaws.'