The Return of an Old Friend: Manchester United 4 - Norwich City 0 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

photo by ssoosay	via PhotoRee

Ryan Giggs demanded passion, bravery, tempo, speed and imagination on his managerial debut, and despite a slow start, saw his requirements more than fulfilled in an easy 4-0 victory over Norwich City at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.  Putting more shots on target than in any Premier League game this season, United offered a rousing second half performace and gave their home fans a clean and direct break from the David Moyes era with their most decisive victory of the season.  Playing football as if it were fun again, the United players rode braces from Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata to treat the home crowd to a fun-filled evening -- a feeling akin to the return of an old friend.   

Herewith, the individual player ratings from a game that felt like the dawn of a new era at Old Trafford:

De Gea: Virtually nothing to do before the break. Showed outstanding distribution skills afterward and, as usual, was there when called upon. 7.5

Jones: Almost found Kagawa with a first half cross. Never under pressure. 7.5

Vidic (c): Calm, cool and collected. 7.5

Ferdinand: Rolled back the years. 7.0

Evra: Ventured forward plenty. 7.5

Valencia: First three crosses hit the defender but he showed he isn't afraid to shoot.  Worked his way into the game.  7.0

Carrick:  This was better.  7.5

Cleverley: His game continues to go downhill and now appears beyond repair. 6.0

Kagawa: Wanted too much time in the box and was slightly too casual with his passing.  7.0

Welbeck: Denied early on by Ruddy and pulled down for a penalty just prior to halftime.  7.0

Rooney: Little other than a decent cross and a penalty to recommend his game in the first half, but a wonderful strike to open the second half.  Appeared knackered at the end. 7.5

Substitutions:

Mata (Welbeck), 60: Great touch to score within a few minutes of joining the fray. Scored a second just for fun. 8.5

Young (Kagawa), 65: N/A

Hernandez (Cleverley), 71: Oh, what a miss at the end. 6.5

This is farlieonfootie for April 26.