'There were glimpses of the old swagger but also stark evidence of the vulnerability and United will merely be grateful to have registered their first Premiership win of the season. Norwich, feeble opposition for much of this early evening encounter, summoned a finale that ruffled United's feathers and almost earned a point.
David Bellion's goal after 32 minutes and Alan Smith's first for United at Old Trafford early in the second half appeared to have swatted away the First Division champions, David Bentley's audacious 30-yard effort notwithstanding. And yet, after Norwich substitute Paul McVeigh had pulled back a goal in the 74th minute, United flirted with capitulation. Darren Huckerby suddenly found a way past the previously redoubtable Roy Keane and, with a little more composure, they might have equalised.'