Norwich City host the Red Devils this weekend for the first time since their famous victory in 2005.
Seven years is a long time in football, especially for Norwich City fans, who saw their side relegated in 2005 despite their valiant efforts to stay up.
Conceding six goals to Fulham on the final day condemned them to years in the footballing wilderness, which seemed impossible to escape from until Paul Lambert came along.
2005 was not all bad for Norwich, they had some memorable moments, not least their 2-0 win over Manchester United in early April.
For United fans it was the nadir of a terrible trophyless season.
The game was the beginning of the end for Brazilian Kleberson, who made made a scapegoat for a listless performance.
But United’s side that day was full of more reliable names, who were simply outperformed by Norwich.
Norwich’s side consisted of Green, Helveg, Fleming, Shackell, Drury, Stuart, Francis, Safri, Huckerby, McKenzie and Ashton, with substitute David Bentley playing a big role.
United’s line-up was Howard, G Neville, Silvestre, Heinze, Scholes, P Neville, Kleberson, Fortune, Saha and Smith.
On paper there was only one winner, especially when you consider that both substitutes Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo played more than 45 minutes each.
However as we know football is never simple, and a Dean Ashton inspired Norwich side caused all sorts of trouble for United’s defence.
Sub Wayne Rooney actually played a part in his side’s downfall, giving away a foul on the outside of his own box, which David Bentley swung into the danger zone.
Dean Ashton rose highest to head the ball past Tim Howard to give Norwich the lead.
Rooney’s afternoon got worse as he was tackled by Norwich midfielder Youssef Safri who passed the ball to Ashton, who crossed for Leon McKenzie to double Norwich’s lead.
United even brought on prolific goalscorer Ruud van Nistelrooy for the final half an hour but it was to no avail.
For Norwich’s goalscorers this was one of their finest days. Dean Ashton moved to West Ham but was cruelly forced to retire through injury after suffering a broken ankle when training for his first cap with England.
Leon McKenzie meanwhile was sent to jail this week for six months after admitted falsifying documents relating to a driving conviction.
For the Canaries fans it remains a standout day they will be looking to repeat, and both Grant Holt and Steve Morison will hope they can emulate their predecessors goalscoring performances.
Sir Alex learned his lesson the hard way not to estimate the East Anglians, and he will know United are in for a real game this weekend.
image: © pittaya
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