By David Hobbs
April 9 2005

Norwich City rekindled their hopes of Premiership survival following a memorable 2-0 victory over a lackluster Manchester United. Dean Ashton and Leon McKenzie netted a second-half brace that could cost United to miss out on 2nd spot.

Norwich Stun Substandard United

Norwich City 2
Ashton 55
 McKenzie 66

Manchester United 0

Norwich City rekindled their hopes of Premiership survival following a memorable 2-0 victory over a lackluster Manchester United, picking up only their 4th league win this season.

A packed Carrow Road were jubilant as their side's second-half brace from Dean Ashton and Leon McKenzie hampered the Red Devils' chances of finishing in 2nd spot.

Despite freshening up the attack by dropping Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney to make way for Alan Smith and Louis Saha, Sir Alex Ferguson watched his subdued firing line go another game without finding the back of the net.

Brazilian World Cup Winner Kleberson was handed a rare starting chance in midfield along with Phil Neville as skipper Roy Keane was left out of the squad. Ryan Giggs is struggling with a hamstring injury, so Quinton Fortune started on the wing.  

Louis Saha's first game back from injury lasted just 22 minutes as a calf problem forced Cristiano Ronaldo to take the place of the Frenchman. Saha had last played on the 1st of February.

Due to the injury, Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to tinker with his formation, thus positioning Alan Smith as a lone striker. Central defenders Craig Fleming and Jason Shackell managed to keep Smith silent.

United surged forward in dire need of a goal, but constantly saw their attempts get blocked out by Fleming and Shackell.

After the break, Ferguson re-shaped his offence once more, replacing Quinton Fortune and Kleberson for Ruud van Nistelrooy and Alan Smith.

Rooney picked up a booking just minutes into his appearance following a foul on Darren Huckerby. The subsequent free-kick was nodded home by Dean Ashton. The England Under-21 international rose high to to convert substitute David Bentley's excellent set-piece.

Rooney was again at fault for a Norwich attack and goal as he lost possession to Youssef Safri. The midfielder hooked the ball to Ashton, who teed up unmarked Leon McKenzie to volley home.

Robert Green tipped over Rooney's late effort to secure a clean sheet and a Norwich win.

Final Score: Norwich City 2  - 0 Manchester United
Att: 25,522

Norwich City: Green, Helveg, Fleming, Shackell, Drury, Stuart (Bentley 45), Francis, Safri, Huckerby (Jonson 86), McKenzie, Ashton (Svensson 84).
Substitutes Not Used: Ward, Doherty.

Manchester United: Howard, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Kleberson (van Nistelrooy 63), Scholes, Phil Neville, Fortune (Rooney 45), Saha (Ronaldo 22), Smith.
Substitutes Not Used: Carroll, O'Shea.

Refereed By: H Webb