Mata strike sees off Norwich

Manchester United beat Norwich City 1-0 to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, with Juan Mata scoring the winner at Carrow Road.

The visitors took a crucial three points when Wayne Rooney played in Mata and the Spain international kept his cool to beat John Ruddy with a close-range finish after 72 minutes.

As a result, United moved to within just a point of city-rivals Manchester City in the fourth and final Champions League berth with just two games left to play this campaign, while Norwich remain two points from safety in 19th.

Norwich boss Alex Neil opted to stick with the same XI who lost 1-0 at Arsenal last Saturday, despite the strugglers having failed to score in nine of the 14 Premier League matches leading up to this contest

United, meanwhile, opted to rest both Danny Blind – who has been a virtual ever present in their team so far this season – and young striker Marcus Rashford with a crucial trip to Champions League-chasing rivals West Ham to come on Tuesday.

However, Louis van Gaal’s side suffered an injury blow even before the match had started when top-scorer Anthony Martial pulled his hamstring …

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