Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the
resilience of his Manchester United team after admitting they had been
second best to Norwich for large parts of this afternoon's 2-1 victory
at Carrow Road, where Ryan Giggs netted a stoppage-time winner on his
900th appearance.
After falling behind to a close-range header from Paul Scholes on seven minutes, the Canaries rallied and forced David de Gea into a string of fine saves.
The United keeper was finally beaten seven minutes from time by Norwich skipper Grant Holt.
However, that just served to spark the Red Devils into life as Ashley Young's goalbound effort was blocked and Danny Welbeck somehow missed a free header from two yards before Giggs ensured a fairytale finish when he stabbed home to keep United on the tails of Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City.
'I have to say we were lucky today, in the sense Norwich had more promise about them. I thought we were lethargic, too casual on the ball.
'Then when we lost the goal, we played brilliantly,' Ferguson said.
'That tells you something about the
temperament, they do not get nervous and started to up their game, so
that augers well for us.'
After falling behind to a close-range header from Paul Scholes on seven minutes, the Canaries rallied and forced David de Gea into a string of fine saves.
The United keeper was finally beaten seven minutes from time by Norwich skipper Grant Holt.
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| Old heads: Manchester United's Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs celebrate |
However, that just served to spark the Red Devils into life as Ashley Young's goalbound effort was blocked and Danny Welbeck somehow missed a free header from two yards before Giggs ensured a fairytale finish when he stabbed home to keep United on the tails of Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City.
'I have to say we were lucky today, in the sense Norwich had more promise about them. I thought we were lethargic, too casual on the ball.
'Then when we lost the goal, we played brilliantly,' Ferguson said.
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| Welsh roar: Ryan Giggs celebrates his stoppage time winner |
Ferguson, who confirmed duo Wayne
Rooney and Tom Cleverley were ruled out of England's friendly against
Holland on Wednesday through illness and injury, added: 'I think the
players were probably a bit embarrassed with the chances they missed,
they know they should have done better during the game, and that is
irrespective of Norwich being the better team.
'They just kept crossing that ball into the box. Without Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and (David) De Gea, we would have been down. They were brilliant the three of them.
'They just kept crossing that ball into the box. Without Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and (David) De Gea, we would have been down. They were brilliant the three of them.
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| Young and old: The Manchester United players celebrate Giggs' late winner |
'Norwich deserved a point today and it was a great goal they scored, but at that moment you saw us as Manchester United.
'I am sure this result will have an impact [on the season].
'Everyone knows we never give in, no matter who plays us, they know they will have to play right to the death."
Ferguson had recalled his regulars following their midweek defeat by Ajax in the Europa League, looking to close back up on leaders Manchester City, although England striker Rooney missed out because of a virus and midfielder Cleverley reportedly struggling with a recurrence of his recent ankle injury.
Ferguson confirmed: 'They will be out [for England].
'Wayne has still not recovered from his throat infection, so hopefully we'll get him ready for next Sunday, when we have a big game at White Hart Lane.'
'I am sure this result will have an impact [on the season].
'Everyone knows we never give in, no matter who plays us, they know they will have to play right to the death."
Ferguson had recalled his regulars following their midweek defeat by Ajax in the Europa League, looking to close back up on leaders Manchester City, although England striker Rooney missed out because of a virus and midfielder Cleverley reportedly struggling with a recurrence of his recent ankle injury.
Ferguson confirmed: 'They will be out [for England].
'Wayne has still not recovered from his throat infection, so hopefully we'll get him ready for next Sunday, when we have a big game at White Hart Lane.'
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| Seeing is believing: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson praised the contribution of his older players |
Giggs, 38, admitted it was a 'real honour' to mark his 900th game with the winner.
'It doesn't get any better,' the Welshman said.
'Norwich put up a great fight but we didn't really play very well. We started the game really well, scored and took our foot off the pedal and Norwich caused us a lot of problems.
'But I think if you look at the last 10 minutes, we probably just deserved it.
'We have been in good form recently, gone to some tough places over last three or four weeks and got some great performances. Today was more about the result than the performance.'
The Canaries have consolidated well on a first return to the top flight in the six seasons since last facing the Red Devils here, securing back-to-back promotions up from npower League One under Paul Lambert.
Only three teams had won at Carrow Road in the Premier League this season, and Lambert felt his side should take credit from their efforts again today.
He said: "That was a huge performance by us. We gave everything.
'We were running on empty, but I couldn't fault our lads.
'Manchester United come at you from all angles, but I couldn't ask for any more.
'It was a poor goal to lose but the pleasing thing was, when you lose that goal early, you don't capitulate, and we never did that.
'We hung in and the United goalkeeper probably saved his best game for against us - some of his saves were magnificent.'
'It doesn't get any better,' the Welshman said.
'Norwich put up a great fight but we didn't really play very well. We started the game really well, scored and took our foot off the pedal and Norwich caused us a lot of problems.
'But I think if you look at the last 10 minutes, we probably just deserved it.
'We have been in good form recently, gone to some tough places over last three or four weeks and got some great performances. Today was more about the result than the performance.'
The Canaries have consolidated well on a first return to the top flight in the six seasons since last facing the Red Devils here, securing back-to-back promotions up from npower League One under Paul Lambert.
Only three teams had won at Carrow Road in the Premier League this season, and Lambert felt his side should take credit from their efforts again today.
He said: "That was a huge performance by us. We gave everything.
'We were running on empty, but I couldn't fault our lads.
'Manchester United come at you from all angles, but I couldn't ask for any more.
'It was a poor goal to lose but the pleasing thing was, when you lose that goal early, you don't capitulate, and we never did that.
'We hung in and the United goalkeeper probably saved his best game for against us - some of his saves were magnificent.'
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