FIVE REASONS MANCHESTER UNITED LOST TO NORWICH CITY

Sir Alex Ferguson had few complaints after seeing Manchester United slip to an unexpected 1-0 defeat at Norwich City that allowed Manchester City to overtake them at the top of the Premier League.
United trail City by a point with the Manchester derby three weeks away and they will need to make a vast improvement if they are to keep pace with the champions.

Anthony Pilkington's header was enough to earn Norwich a famous victory and condemn United, who were without the injured Wayne Rooney, to their third defeat of the season. While United have come from behind to win eight times this season, they were unable to muster a response against Chris Hughton's in-form side.
"They deserved it because they worked so hard for it," Ferguson said. "We had a lot of possession and one or two half-chances without having any great chances. It just wasn't our night."
Sir Alex may be right in his comment but below are 5 great reasons United weren't able to perform their usual comeback against a Norwich side that have handed defeat to both Arsenal and Tottenham already despite going a goal down in the 60th mintue.
1. The Absence of Wayne Rooney.
The partnership of Wayne Rooney and RVP have started to flourish producing with it a lot goals, with Rooney absent in the united line up, there was a big communication gap between the mid field and the strikers, no one was able to bring Van Persie into the game and thereby rendering RVP useless in the United attack.
2. Lack of Understanding between the striking pair of Chicharito and Robin Van Persie.

3. The partnership of Carrick and Giggs in the midfield wasn't as good as it would have on every other day.

4. The United Wingers were totally off the game, both Valencia and Young, none was able to deliver a defence threatening cross throughout the game.

5. Norwich Goal Keeper Ruddy was in the form of His life, being able to anticipate all United's moves in his goal area and reacting fast enough to cut them short.

  Now United find themselves on the 2nd position on the table a point less than the current league leaders Manchester City and with inferior goal difference.
So United have to find their feet fast enough to keep up the pace with City and hope City drops a few points along the line as the battle to who tops the table at Christmas continues.