Capital One Cup – Manchester United 4 Norwich City 0: Hernandez and Fabio

The night belongs to these two players – Javier Hernandez and Fabio da Silva. Two players that find it hard to get game times under new manager David Moyes. For once the score line reflects the class between the two sides but of course both sides did field squad players and youngsters. Still, this win completes the last of the four series of home games for Manchester United at Old Trafford this month and it can be deemed – satisfactory (3 wins and a draw).Even though Norwich City was a ‘no show’ at Old Trafford the performance of David Moyes’ team still deserve the credit, it was after all their biggest winning margin of the season and also under Moyes. The team selection was spot on especially in defense with the central pairing of the experienced Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, along with Rafael da Silva and Alexander Buttner were up to the task and left Nowich City hardly a chance to test Anders Lindergard. Wilfred Zaha was given a start – the first of his career as a red devil and did enough to give fans optimism. Ashley Young, after a series of forgettable performance earlier in the season did well too. Adnan Januzaj was given a No 10 role – a role in which many consider would likely be his future position and he showed every inch of cementing that position for himself.

 

But Javier Hernandez and Fabio da Silvia brought joys to many Manchester United’s supporters with their display. The two players who hardly get enough game time so far this season scored three of the four goals, vindicating their manager’s decision to include them. What is more impressive was the fact that Fabio was brought in with less than 4 minutes before the end of added time, a move seen more as running down the clock – and Fabio operating at the left midfield duly scores a goal that was reminiscent of a classy forward. Hernandez on the other hand highlighted just how effective he can be as an out and out striker with his brace – despite his limited game time so far this season.

 

David Moyes must now provide the balance among his squad to ensure every player deserve the right amount of time on the pitch. This was what Sir Alex Ferguson did so well in the past and it was proven effective in his 26 years in charge. With the schedule getting more congested as winter approaches, Moyes need to make sure his team selection is spot on – game after game, and tonight against Norwich City he did just that. The next two fixtures are away games, against Fulham and Real Sociedad and will provide Moyes another testing times – before the big one against league leader Arsenal at Old Trafford.