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29 March 2024

Man Utd's secret spy on Norwich

Ritchie De Laet of Norwich City during the Pre Season Friendly match between Crystal Palace and Norwich City at Selhurst Park. (GETTY/GALLO)

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Ritchie De Laet's inside knowledge of Norwich City suggests Manchester United will have to work hard for a vital league victory today.

The Reds defender spent the first four months of this season on loan at Carrow Road, and developed an admiration for the East Anglian club's collective spirit.

"There are no big players at Norwich," De Laet told ManUtd.com this week.

"Some of the players have come all the way from League One to the Premier League with Norwich and with the same manager, Paul Lambert. When I was there, he'd often come in the dressing room or the gym and have banter with the lads.

“But the players also knew exactly what the manager expected of them. They play the same system that has earned them two promotions. It's a hard system to play against, and they've just kept going with the same winning mentality."

The Canaries have picked up points in nine of their 12 home league games - a similar record to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this season. So what is it that makes Carrow Road the proverbial tough place to visit? De Laet has two theories.

"For a start, it's far away! For example, it's four hours from Manchester by road, although United will fly to Norwich. And because there's only one team in the neighbourhood, everybody supports them. The local fans get behind the team really well."

Free kicks for Fabio

Manchester United’s Brazilian left-back took questions from readers of United Review the club magazine and said while he does take free kicks for Brazil, he would wait his turn at United.

“A lot of players here can take free-kicks. One day I hope I can take them but I'm young so I have to wait. Maybe I'll start to practise them and then they'll let me.”

On a lighter note, replying to a question whether he ever claimed credit for something Rafael has done, he said, When I was young, yes! In school, sometimes, and at parties with girls [laughs]. Maybe seven years ago, when we looked the same. Now there are differences but back then our hair was the same and sometimes we wore the same clothes.”