“Class of 92” looking for top marks against Norwich

With Manchester United directors bringing the curtain down on David Moyes’ role at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Ryan Giggs has been cast into the spotlight and will be given the opportunity to audition on the Old Trafford stage.

The script for the first act at least should all go to plan. United are 4/11 odds-on favourites against Norwich who are outsiders at 7/1. They are embroiled in a relegation battle, though put up a respectable fight at home to Liverpool last time out. Having entertained fans for over two decades, Giggs is bound to be greeted with a standing ovation when he leads his team out in front of the Stretford End.

One of the biggest talking points right up until kick off, will be whether Giggs indeed starts himself, with Moyes marginalising him over the past few weeks. The Welshman’s appointment also meant a sensational return to Old Trafford for Paul Scholes who has agreed to help out his long-time friend. Joining them are two others from the ‘class of 92’, with Nicky Butt drafted in as assistant manager, and Phil Neville persuaded to stay on despite being first team coach under Moyes.

For United fans, short-term, there could not have been a better solution.

“We will go back to playing the Manchester United way”, Giggs was reported to have told the players upon the departure of Moyes. This means that Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata could be dropped to the bench with Tom Cleverley in contention for a recall to the starting line-up, who is 6/1 to score at anytime. He is set to be joined by fellow England teammate Danny Welbeck.

Norwich are sitting just one place and two points above the relegation zone, and are 10/3 to survive the drop. The Canaries had failed to score for three matches before notching twice against Liverpool, with Gary Hooper and Robert Snodgrass adding to their tallies. They are 10/3 and 5/1 respectively to net at anytime.

Winger Elliott Bennett could feature for the Norfolk club, after being declared fit following a long term knee injury, however centre half Joseph Yobo is definitely ruled out. Robin van Persie and Rafael both remain sidelined for the home team.

Although United’s defensive record leaves a lot to be desired this season, the Canaries have the lowest shot conversion record in the league at 8.7 percent. Also encouragingly, the Red Devils boast 44 points against teams in the bottom half of the table and everything indicates that this trend could continue here.