Manchester United 4-0 Norwich: Javier Hernandez leads Reds past Canaries

Two goals from Javier Hernandez helped Manchester United past Norwich City in the third round of the League Cup, with Fabio and Phil Jones also getting on the scoresheet.

Despite fielding a central midfield partnership of Tom Cleverley and Phil Jones, this was vintage achingly predictable no-possible-chance-of-the-visitors-leaving-with-anything United, something that might not always be the most thrilling thing to watch but has been worryingly absent under David Moyes' tenure. Norwich could barely get out of their own half as United pinned them back completely.

Adnan Januzaj had been looking lively, going close with a long-range curling effort which brushed the side netting, and he was brought down for a penalty to give United a clear chance for an opening. Javier Hernandez stepped up for the penalty, and blasted an unsaveable effort into the top corner to put his side ahead.

The rest of the half petered out after United's initially bright start faded, but the second continued in much the same theme. Nathan Redmond came the closest for the visitors, with his trickery a constant menace, sadly not matched by the slightly disappointing Wilfried Zaha, who was getting some rare gametime from Moyes.

Alexander Buttner soon created another opportunity however, crossing from the left to find Hernandez completely unmarked in the centre of the Norwich area. Such was the lack of attention paid to the Mexican that although Mark Bunn saved his initial header, Chicharito remained free to head home at a second attempt to make it 2-0 to United.

A long break in play then followed as Robert Snodgrass required lengthy medical attention after a clash of heads, eventually being stretchered off and replaced by Anthony Pilkington. Norwich were in no mood to look for a comeback, and United soon got their third courtesy of a surprising source in Phil Jones, who was found in the area by Javier Hernandez, knocking on Januzaj's cross for the former Blackburn man to volley home from close range.

Fabio soon came onto the pitch, and took only two minutes to get on the scoresheet, racing clear to pick up a long ball from Wayne Rooney. His control with his chest was heavy but fortunately the Brazilian was able to use his pace to gain the yards and quickly slot the ball under the advancing Bunn.

It may have been Norwich, but we were just dominated at home by Stoke City at the weekend - it's worth considering that there may be much to be learned here, specifically with regards to the youthful age of the midfield. Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley are limited players, but both are young and energetic - that showed hugely tonight.