Manchester United vs Norwich team news: Wayne Rooney back from injury with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling recalled

United manager Louis van Gaal makes four changes as he reshuffles his defence

Jack de Menezes
Saturday 19 December 2015 15:18 GMT
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Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney starts against Norwich
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney starts against Norwich (Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney returns to lead Manchester United against Norwich after missing their last three matches in a bid to end a five-game winless streak.

United manager Louis van Gaal makes four changes with three fresh faces in defence as Ashley Young starts at right-back with Chris Smalling back in central defence to partner Phil Jones, with Daley Blind shifted out to left-back.

The only other change see Rooney return for Jesse Lingard, with the England captain set to start as the lone striker with Anthony Martial switching to the left-wing and Memphis Depay crossing over to the right. It means that Rooney makes his 500th appearance for United, becoming just the 10th player to reach the landmark.

Norwich make just one enforced change as Andre Wisdom is ruled out through injury, so in comes Ryan Bennett to start at right-back. Goalkeeper Declan Rudd is retained ahead of John Ruddy, who remains on the substitutes’ bench.

Teams

Manchester United: De Gea; Young, Jones, Smalling, Blind; Carrick, Fellaini; Depay, Mata, Martial; Rooney.

Subs: Romero, Borthwick-Jackson, McNair, Varela, Schneiderlin, Pereira, Herrera

Norwich: Rudd; Martin (c), Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Redmond, O'Neil, Tettey, Brady; Hoolahan; Jerome

Subs: Ruddy (GK), Whittaker, Howson, Mbokani, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Odjidja

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