Afternoon all. Don't you just love this time of year?! Premier League teams only played two days ago and now some of them are back in action today, including Norwich City and Manchester United, who we will be covering today.

Before we go any further, the teams news from Carrow Road is starting to filter through. Brace yourselves Man United fans - there is a big omission from your lineup.

NORWICH XI: Ruddy; Martin, R Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Fer, Johnson, Snodgrass, Hoolahan, Redmond; Hooper

NORWICH SUBS: Bunn, Whittaker, Van Wolfswinkel, Elmander, Garrido, Becchio, Josh Murphy

But before we talk about United, we start with the Norwich team. Wes Hoolahan will feature in an advanced midfield role behind lone frontman Gary Hooper, while Ryan Bennett has replaced the suspended Michael Turner at centre-back. Young winger Nathan Redmond has kept his place in the side, but Johan Elmander has dropped down to the bench.

And now for the United team...

MAN UNITED XI: De Gea; Smalling, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Young, Cleverley, Carrick, Giggs; Kagawa; Hernandez

MAN UNITED SUBS: Lindegaard, Anderson, Welbeck, Fabio, Fletcher, Zaha, Januzaj

As you can see, Wayne Rooney is not included in the United squad. The reason for his omission is not yet known, but we will try to get to the bottom of it. In his place comes Javier Hernandez, who will be supported by Shinji Kagawa. Skipper Nemanja Vidic has returned to the side, with Chris Smalling moving out to right-back. Michael Carrick is also included following a spell on the sidelines.

So, how big a miss is Rooney for United? The simple answer is a massive one! He has been their talisman this season, scoring nine goals and assisting another nine. What with Robin van Persie also out injured, United are missing some real striking talent today. On the flip side, it has provided Hernandez with a chance to prove his worth to David Moyes.

Talking of strikers, Norwich have an in-form one right now in Hooper. An injury stunted his start at Carrow Road, but in recent weeks he has displayed the predatory instincts that he was famed for at Celtic. The Englishman has scored five goals in his last eight outings, four of which have come in front of the Norwich faithful.

Staying with Norwich, here is what their manager Chris Hughton has had to say about this match: "It’s of course a big task. Manchester United are Manchester United and they have quality all over. We are playing at home though. It is an opportunity for us to bounce back from Thursday, and it is certainly the type of game that lifts everybody – it’s one to look forward to."

While football is not played on paper, the home side can also take heart from their recent record against United at Carrow Road. In the three previous meetings between the sides in Norfolk, Norwich have won two of them. United won the other 2-1 and that was only thanks to a stoppage-time effort from Ryan Giggs. It's fair to say that the Red Devils have not always enjoyed their trips to East Anglia.

They did, however, enjoy the journey home in April 1993. Both teams had a chance of winning the Premier League title, but United all but ended Norwich's charge with a fluid 3-1 victory. It was the perfect example of counter-attacking football from Sir Alex Ferguson's men:

Going back to Rooney briefly, the club have just confirmed on Twitter why he has not made the trip:

Wayne Rooney didn't travel to Norwich due to the recurrence of a groin strain. He should be available for #mufc vs @SpursOfficial on 1 Jan. — Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 28, 2013

Although Rooney is out, United have been able to call upon captain Vidic and Carrick. Speaking to Sky Sports News moments ago, Moyes spoke of his delight at the duo's return from injury: "It's important - everybody will tell you that it is important to have all your players at this time of year. It's great."

So, what would a victory mean for a Rooney-light United today? Well, depending on the results that Everton and Newcastle United achieve over the next couple of days, they could move up to fifth going into 2014. For the record, those two sides do not play until tomorrow - Everton against Southampton and Newcastle face Arsenal.

As for Norwich, all three points would put some real distance between themselves and the drop zone. In fact, if other results go their way, the Canaries may even move up as high as 10th. That really is the beauty of the Premier League, particularly at this time of year. One win and the situation for a club looks much more positive, while a defeat brings with it pressure.

PREDICTION: Right, with 10 minutes to go until proceedings get underway in Norfolk, let's have a stab at guessing the outcome of this match. Neither team has been particularly great at the back this season, so we could get goals. Obviously for United, Rooney is huge miss, as is the continued absence of Van Persie. Norwich, in contrast, have their main striker fit and confident. Let's go for a 2-2 draw.

Here come the two sets of players into what is a bright Carrow Road. Not long now until we are off and running.

GAME ON! Here we go then. United, attacking from right to left, get this game off and running. Big 90 minutes ahead for both teams.

Not too much to talk about regarding the opening exchanges here. Hernandez has been lively for United as he looks to drag the home defence deeper and deeper. That should create space for the likes of Kagawa and Giggs to exploit.

SAVE! First effort at goal from United following a swift counter-attack. Norwich fail to fully clear a cross from Ashley Young and Kagawa gains possession. He cuts inside and drills towards goal from a narrow angle, but John Ruddy gets two firm hands behind the ball and parries it to safety.

At the moment, United are looking to get Young in the game as often as possible. He's taken up the position on the right flank and is seemingly keen to drive at Martin Olsson every time that the opportunity presents itself. He does seem to have revitalised his United career in recent weeks.

We've seen very little from Norwich in an attacking sense so far. Hooper is cutting a very forlorn figure up front, with Jonny Evans and Vidic dominating that area of the pitch. They need to start finding Hoolahan on a more regular basis, because the Irishman has the ability to thread through a pass or two.

SAVE! How are Norwich not in front?! Russell Martin gets the wrong side of Patrice Evra and drives into the area. His shot is parried out by David de Gea, but only as far as Hoolahan, who seemingly has a tap in. He can't get the ball under control, though, and Vidic retreats at the final moment to clear. A worrying moment for United, which has lifted the home crowd.

SAVE! Hoolahan is starting to get involved in this match and all of a sudden Norwich are on top. He is involved as the ball is worked to Robert Snodgrass on the right. The Scot picks out Hooper inside the area, but his rising shot is straight at De Gea, who is able to parry clear.

Norwich really are playing well right now. They seem to have identified Evra as United's weak link (and they are not the first team to have done that this season). Snodgrass is looking to be the United full-back whenever he can and he's certainly winning that battle.

BOOKING! The first yellow of the afternoon goes to United's veteran midfielder Giggs for a sliding challenge on Snodgrass. There wasn't much contact, but Phil Dowd deemed the offence worthy of a caution, much to Giggs's disbelief.

BOOKING! It's now 1-1 where the bookings are concerned, with Norwich midfielder Leroy Fer seeing yellow for a mistimed challenge on Evra. He pleads his innocence, but just as he did with Giggs, Dowd is having none of it.

BOOKING! That really is a petty one from Dowd, who does have a reputation of trying to make headlines. He has just cautioned United striker Hernandez for tying up his boot laces, believe it or not! The Mexican had dropped down in front of a free kick that Norwich were waiting to take, but Dowd hadn't even blown his whistle.

SAVE! Another chance for Norwich, but once again they are thwarted by De Gea. On this occasion it is captain Sebastian Bassong who leaps highest inside the United area, but his powerful effort is held by the United goalkeeper. The home side might regret not making the most of these opportunities.

Great football at both ends as Hoolahan weaves his way into the United box, only for his effort to be blocked by a combination of Evans and Evra. Then, moments later, Kagawa breaks with pace and ends up crossing the ball towards Hernandez, but Ruddy is alert and comes off his line to hold the ball at the first attempt.

SAVE! A decent opportunity for United and Hernandez at the end of this first half. Young threads through a pass for his teammate, who Norwich believe is offside. There's no flag, so he drives the ball goalwards from a narrow angle, but Ruddy is able to save with relative ease. Meanwhile, there will be three minutes of stoppage time.

We might not have had any goals, but it has been an entertaining 45 minutes of football at Carrow Road.

It will be a mixture of emotions for Norwich boss Hughton because on the one hand his side have played very well, which is bound to have pleased him. However, they have not converted any of their chances and may end up paying for that. All he can ask for is that his player produce a similar display after the restart and hope that their luck in front of goal changes.

As for Moyes, he is likely to be extremely disappointed. His side have had just one shot on target and have relied on De Gea on a number of occasions. They really are missing Rooney and don't appear to have adapted well to his absence. Lone striker Hernandez is far too isolated and is being made to feed off scraps.

We may only be at the halfway stage, but Moyes could well be contemplating changes to his team. He has Danny Welbeck and Adnan Januzaj on the bench and if the game continues in a similar fashion, it might not be long until those two are introduced, largely because both would provide greater support to Hernandez. Giggs and Kagawa in particular have been ineffective.

The stats say it all as far as United are concerned. They've had 59% of the possession, but have had just three shots, one of which was on target. As for Norwich, they've mustered 11 shots - four of them have called De Gea into action.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! As Norwich get the second half started, Moyes has made a positive switch. Off comes Giggs and on in his place is Welbeck, who will probably partner Hernandez.

Positive start from both sides as Redmond flashes a shot from distance wide for Norwich. Then, up the other end, Hernandez fails to connect with a cross from Welbeck, while moments later Young fires just over the crossbar from 20 yards out. United have already shown more intent than they did during the entire first half.

Hernandez has been much more involved in the last few minutes. Moments ago his first touch let him down when well placed, then he was flagged offside as Kagawa looked to release him. Replays show that it was marginal, but he had just strayed beyond the last Norwich defender.

Moyes's change has reaped reward for United. Welbeck charges down Bennett's clearance, which falls to Hernandez. He in turn plays in his strike partner, who races goalwards. Welbeck has been accused of not having great composure in recent years, but he showed fantastic calmness to round Ruddy, leaving him an empty net to roll the ball in to. United don't deserve it, but I did say that Norwich may regret missing their chances.

Welbeck really has livened United up since the break. He's running at the Norwich rearguard, forcing them back towards their own goal in the process. He's just had a chance to double his and United's tally, but missed Smalling's cross towards the back post completely.

BOOKING! Second caution of the match for Norwich and it is midfielder Bradley Johnson that has his name taken down by Dowd. He protests his innocence, but replays showed that he took none of the ball in his challenge with Evra.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Norwich make a switch and it's not a popular one among the supporters as Hooper is replaced by Ricky van Wolfswinkel. That is likely to be because the Norwich fans wanted to see them on the pitch together. Meanwhile, the youngster Januzaj has replaced Kagawa for United.

Former Sunderland winger Kevin Kilbane, talking to BBC Sport, has also come to a similar conclusion: "There were one or two boos audible when Chris Hughton decided to take off Gary Hooper for Ricky van Wolfswinkel. I think the fans wanted to see the two strikers playing together."

PENALTY APPEAL! Big shouts for a penalty from the Norwich players and supporters, but Dowd says no. It is Hoolahan that is involved following a challenge from both Vidic and Evra, but replays show minimal contact. That's the right decision from the official.

Credit to Norwich, because in the last few minutes they've exerted some real pressure on United. Time and again the ball has been sent high into the away side's area, but so far they are dealing with the threat. As Norwich start to commit more men forward, there are also gaps appearing at the back, which the likes of Welbeck, Young and Hernandez will probably be looking to take advantage of.

SUBSTITUTION: Big moment for Norwich teenager Josh Murphy, who has been sent on for the last 10 minutes in place of Snodgrass. He will play on the right flank.

CHANCE! Some decent football involving Redmond and Hoolahan ends up creating a chance for Murphy some 25 yards from goal. He has options right and left, but the youngster has enough confidence to go for goal. His shot is always rising, though, and flies well over the top of the target.

SUBSTITUTION: A defensive change from Moyes, who brings off Hernandez and introduces holding midfielder Darren Fletcher into the action. The United boss is obviously happy with what he has got.

SUBSTITUTION: Final roll of the dice from Hughton, who takes off the lively Hoolahan and throws on big striker Elmander.

BOOKING! Redmond sees yellow for a late sliding challenge on Evra, Meanwhile, there will be four minutes of stoppage time for Norwich to salvage something from this game.

BOOKING! As far as United are concerned, the ball is in the right area of the pitch. Between Welbeck and Tom Cleverley, they are keeping hold of possession in the corner flag. Moments later, Smalling is cautioned for a foul on Murphy.

We played one more minute than what was originally held up by the fourth official, but Norwich couldn't find an equaliser and it's a big three points for United. They are now seven points off leaders and rivals Manchester City.

That's all we have time for from Carrow Road. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and until next time, goodbye.