After two consecutive draws and a surprisingly jittery defensive display against Basel in midweek, Sir Alex Ferguson will be expecting a marked performance from his side. Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling are still out but it is unlikely Norwich have enough mobility in forward areas to overly worry the home defence. Besides, they will likely spend most of the time protecting their own goal, especially if, as expected, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernández return to the starting line-up. Anything other than a home win would be a major surprise. Paul Doyle

Venue Old Trafford

Tickets Sold out

Last season n/a

Referee S Attwell

This season's matches 4 Y15, R0, 3.75 cards per game

Odds Man Utd 1-6 Norwich 14-1 Draw 9-4

Man Utd

Subs from Kuszczak, Lindegaard, Park, Giggs, Valencia, Macheda, Diouf, Berbatov, Carrick, Welbeck, Owen, F da Dilva

Doubtful None

Injured Smalling (groin, 8 Oct), Vidic (calf, 15 Oct), Cleverley (ankle, 15 Oct), Gibson (ankle, 15 Oct), R da Silva (shoulder, Nov)

Suspended None Form guide DWWWWW

Disciplinary record Y7 R0

Leading scorer Rooney 9

Norwich

Subs from Rudd, Drury, Crofts, Holt, Jackson, Surman, C Martin, Smith, Wilbraham, Francomb Doubtful None

Injured Whitbread (hamstring, 15 Oct), Ayala (knee, 29 Oct), Ward (knee, unknown), Vaughan (knee, Jan) Ineligible De Laet (cannot face parent club)

Suspended None Form guide WWLLDD

Disciplinary record Y8 R2

Leading scorer Holt, Hoolahan, Morison, Barnett, Johnson, Pilkington, De Laet 1

Match pointers

• Norwich were victorious the last time these sides met in the Premier League, a 2-0 win in April 2005

• Manchester United have scored in the previous 33 consecutive league games at Old Trafford

• The visitors have not won three top-flights matches in succession since October 1993

• Grant Holt has committed more fouls (19) and won more free kicks (20) than any other Premier League player

• David de Gea has made 46 saves so far this season, a division high