Ryan Giggs got his reign as Manchester United interim manager off to a winning start on Saturday thanks to a 4-0 victory at home to Norwich City in the Premier League.
Wayne Rooney converted from the penalty spot to give United a first-half lead before doubling their advantage at the start of the second period.
Juan Mata then came off the bench to score twice and seal the points for the champions.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded at Old Trafford.
4.31pmHello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this evening's Premier League encounter between Manchester United and Norwich City at Old Trafford. It's a hugely significant day for the champions as interim manager Ryan Giggs takes charge for the first time following David Moyes's sacking at the start of the week. We should have team news in for you shortly.
4.34pmUnited aren't too used to the sort of scrutiny that they've been under this week, but they have the chance to bring back some positivity tonight against a struggling Norwich side. The visitors are in desperate need of some points as they battle against relegation.
4.35pmMAN UTD: De Gea; Jones, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Kagawa; Welbeck, Rooney
4.36pmMAN UTD SUBS: Lindegaard, Smalling, Mata, Chicharito, Nani, Young, Fletcher
4.39pmThe big team news from a Man Utd perspective is that Giggs hasn't included himself either in the starting lineup or on the bench. Instead, the Welshman has made six changes to the side that lost 2-0 at Everton last weekend. The experienced trio of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra return in defence, while Antonio Valencia, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck are all recalled. Chris Smalling, Juan Mata, Nani and Darren Fletcher all drop to the bench.
4.41pmNORWICH: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin, Turner, Olsson; Johnson; Fer, Howson; Snodgrass; Redmond, van Wolfswinkel
4.42pmNORWICH SUBS: Bunn, Hooper, Gutierrez, Elmander, R Bennett, Tettey, Josh Murphy
4.45pmNorwich interim boss Neil Adams makes just the one change after seeing his side lose 3-2 at home to Liverpool last Sunday. Gary Hooper has to settle for a place on the bench as Ricky van Wolfswinkel is preferred up front.
4.48pmUPDATE: There are currently four other matches being played in the Premier League, and we will bring you those full-time results as soon as they come through. Today's early kickoff saw Southampton earn a 2-0 win over Everton at St Mary's Stadium.
4.50pm
#mufc interim boss Ryan Giggs has arrived at Old Trafford with his players. pic.twitter.com/lYspEWUcvu
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 26, 20144.52pmGiggs was asked yesterday whether he will be wearing a suit or a tracksuit for this evening's game, with the 40-year-old telling reporters that they would have to wait and see. It looks like he's opted for the traditional suit.
4.55pmPREMIER LEAGUE FULL-TIME RESULTS:
Fulham 2-2 Hull City
Stoke City 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Swansea City 4-1 Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion 1-0 West Ham United
4.57pmSome significant results there from a Norwich point of view, none more so than Fulham's 2-2 draw with Hull City. The Cottagers found themselves 2-0 up against the Tigers before two goals in the last 15 minutes saw the game end all square. It means that Norwich are still above the relegation zone, albeit now by just a single point. You can take a look at the table here.
5pmAnyway, back to business. Giggs revealed earlier this week that he was wanting to bring back a more attacking style to the Man Utd team following a string of turgid performances under David Moyes. The Welshman was full of enthusiasm at his first press conference on Friday, with many noting that it was in stark contrast to the more morose offerings from Moyes.
5.03pmRecent form in all competitions:
MAN UTD: LWDWLL
NORWICH: LWLLLL
5.06pmWhile Man Utd have been in indifferent form throughout the season, Norwich have taken a nosedive in recent weeks thanks to a poisonous run of four consecutive defeats. The Canaries have picked up just two victories in their last 13 matches. They also have the worst away record in the top flight, taking eight points from a possible 53.
5.08pm
#NCFC's lads checking out the impeccable surface here at Old Trafford. #NCFC #MUFC pic.twitter.com/icX0cpdtvg
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) April 26, 20145.11pmRyan Giggs speaking to the media on Friday: "It has been a frustrating season for everyone. You win together, you lose together.
"During these four matches, I want to bring some positivity back, bring smiles to the faces. I want to see goals and tackles, I want to get the crowd up and I want to see the passion.
"It's going to be my philosophy - Man United's philosophy. I want the players to play with passion, speed, tempo, imagination - all the things I expect of a Man United player, but most of all, enjoy it. I want to see goals, I want see tackles, I want to see players taking players on."
5.14pmNorwich interim manager Neil Adams: "These are three huge games for this football club and one thing we can guarantee is we'll be giving it everything we've got and be as best prepared as we possibly can.
"We're confident going into the game and we'll be confident going into the other two. If you're organised, you feel you're ready and you prepare the players in the right way, why not? We feel confident we can go and have a good go at it."
5.17pmHEAD TO HEAD: Man Utd have the superior record when it comes to previous encounters between these teams, winning 34 times compared to 12 victories for Norwich. There have also been 12 draws. The Red Devils have won their last three games against the Canaries, including victories earlier this season in the Premier League and League Cup respectively.
5.20pmNorwich haven't had a great deal of luck in recent years when it comes to matches against Man Utd at Old Trafford. The Canaries last tasted success at the home of the champions all the way back in August 1989. To put an end to their miserable run this evening would be massive in their battle to avoid relegation.
5.22pm
The #mufc players were led in their warm-up by coaches Butt, Scholes and Neville. pic.twitter.com/6rLjKTBNKN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 26, 20145.25pmPREDICTION TIME: It's been the sort of season that has proven time and again that anything is possible in the Premier League, but it's hard to look beyond a Man Utd win this evening. The Red Devils appear to have been liberated following the departure of David Moyes, and that could mean bad news for Norwich. We here at Sports Mole can see the hosts earning a 3-1 win come 7.15pm this evening. Five minutes until kickoff.
5.27pmHere come the players! Ryan Giggs follows them out soon after and gets an incredible reception from the Man Utd faithful. Would you expect anything less?
1 minKICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Norwich to get us underway. Here we go!
4 minIt's been a positive start from the hosts, who have the fans fully behind them with chants of 'Attack! Attack! Attack!" Norwich haven't seen too much of the ball early on, but you can tell that they are prepared to make life difficult for Man Utd this evening.
7 minValencia's crossing hasn't been up to scratch so far, but the winger is looking threatening down the right flank. Norwich are struggling to get to grips with the home side's passing and movement.
10 minThis is better from Norwich. The visitors are starting to get a hold of the ball and pass their way into the match. They're trying to utilise the width of the pitch as best as they can, though chances are still few and far between.
13 minStill no genuine chances for either side. However, Norwich might well be pleased with how things have gone so far. Many were predicting Man Utd to come flying out of the traps, but that hasn't happened. That said, the hosts are still in control as we approach he 15-minute mark at Old Trafford.
13 minCHANCE! Close for Man Utd as Welbeck receives the ball on the right side of the box before firing a ferocious effort towards goal. It's a good effort from the youngster, but Ruddy is there to push it away.
16 minThat opportunity for Welbeck aside, Man Utd are finding it difficult to cut open the Norwich defence. The visitors have been very robust at the back so far, and they will need to maintain that level of organisation if they want to come away from Old Trafford with something.
20 minThe hosts are beginning to play with a bit more urgency now as they look for the opening goal. Evra manages to win his side a corner down the left, but a short one to Kagawa comes to nothing.
23 minThere have been one or two moans and groans from the home fans so far, particularly when an attacking move breaks down. Man Utd are showing plenty of intent to go forward, though that final pass has been lacking so far.
24 minSomething of a half-chance for the hosts there as Rooney tries to smash an ambitious volley towards goal from a difficult angle, but his effort is blocked by Turner.
27 minGiggs said on Friday that he wanted to bring an more attacking style of football back to the club. Man Utd have been the superior side so far, though it's not been the blitz that many might have thought it was going to be. Norwich remain compact at the back, and they are definitely frustrating the champions.
29 minBOOKING! The first yellow card of the match goes the way of Norwich midfielder Jonny Howson following a tackle from behind on Carrick.
31 minSarcastic cheers from the Norwich fans as Cleverley scuffs his shot from the edge of the box following a decent attacking move from the hosts. The midfielder has hardly been involved so far.
34 minThere can be no denying that this has been a stodgy performance so far from the hosts, which hints at a deeper malaise within the squad. It's not quite as defensive-minded as the days of Moyes, but it would be surprising if this was the kind of display that Giggs thought his team would produce this evening.
36 min
Bizarrely, a plane has just flown over Old Trafford with the message 'Thank U Moyes'. No joke.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonMEN) April 26, 201438 minCHANCE! Or at least a decent opening for the hosts. A cross from the right was whipped to the back post where Kagawa was lurking, only for the Japanese midfielder to prod the ball wide while on the stretch.
39 minCHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Valencia's powerful drive on the angle is pushed away by Ruddy. This is better from Man Utd, and the fans are responding accordingly.
40 minPENALTY TO MAN UTD!
41 minGOAL! MAN UTD 1-0 NORWICH (ROONEY, PENALTY)
41 minMan Utd finally get the breakthrough as Wayne Rooney scores from the penalty spot following a foul on Welbeck by Whittaker inside the area. No complaints there. It's been a strange opening half at Old Trafford so far, but that's sure to calm a few nerves.
43 min
5 - Wayne Rooney has scored five goals in his last five Premier League appearances. Usual.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 201445 minThere will be just the one added minute at the end of the half...
45+1 minHALF TIME: MAN UTD 1-0 NORWICH
6.19pmReferee Lee Probert calls an end to the first half at Old Trafford, where Man Utd lead Norwich 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Wayne Rooney. The hosts have been below par so far, but it's hard to say that they don't deserve to be in front. Norwich have only occasionally threatened, though they're still very much in this match.
6.22pmDespite seeing the majority of the ball, Man Utd struggled to get in behind what has been a sturdy Norwich defence. The Canaries have had to soak up a lot of pressure during the opening 45 minutes, and they've done well for the most part.
6.25pmWhile this result means a lot to Man Utd in terms of boosting morale, it's Norwich who are in more need of the points. If the result stays the same, the visitors will be just one point above the relegation zone with just two games remaining. You can take a look at the table as it stands here.
6.28pmLooking for a concise round-up of that opening half at Old Trafford? Look no further, it's right here.
46 minSECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half, and it will be Man Utd to kick us off. No changes for either side during the interval.
47 minGOAL! MAN UTD 2-0 NORWICH (ROONEY)
47 minWhat a lovely goal from Wayne Rooney to give his side a comfortable 2-0 lead! The striker was given all the time in the world on the edge of the box, and he took advantage by curling the ball past Ruddy and into the far corner.
50 minIt looks like a long way back for Norwich now because Man Utd are looking rampant. The hosts started the second half in positive fashion, but that goal has given them even more of a boost. It's all hands on deck for the Canaries right now.
53 minThe hosts have got their opponents by the scruff of the neck here. Norwich, who have hardly been out of their half since the restart, are having to defend bravely as Man Utd surge forward. Welbeck is the latest player to have a crack at goal with a stinging volley, but Ruddy palms the ball away.
55 minCHANCE! Rooney wants his hat-trick, and he nearly gets it with another effort from the edge of the box. However, Ruddy is there to gather the ball. The Norwich goalkeeper has been kept busy this evening.
56 minSUBSTITUTION: Norwich make their first change of the match as Ricky van Wolfswinkel is replaced by Johan Elmander. Van Wolfswinkel has had very little involvement tonight.
59 minCHANCE! Norwich nearly pull one back through a free kick from Snodgrass, only for De Gea to punch the shot away. That was fiercely struck by the Norwich midfielder. Man Utd make a change, with Juan Mata entering the action in place of Danny Welbeck.
62 minTaking that free kick from Snodgrass out of the equation, there is little to suggest that Norwich will get anything out of this match. Man Utd are still in firm control, with everyone looking to get involved in their attacking moves. There are definite spaces for the visitors to exploit as a result, but they just can't get on the ball at the moment.
63 minGOAL! MAN UTD 3-0 NORWICH (MATA)
63 minAnd that should be that. Juan Mata's only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes, but he's probably wrapped up the points for his side. The ball was crossed by Jones from the right, and there was the Spaniard to prod home from close range.
64 minSUBSTITUTION: Another change for Man Utd here as Ashley Young replaces Shinji Kagawa. Meanwhile, Patrice Evra goes into the book for an earlier challenge on Snodgrass.
68 minSUBSTITUTION: Norwich boss Neil Adams mixes things up again, bringing on Gary Hooper for Nathan Redmond. The hosts are just playing for pride now, while Man Utd look like they've got another couple of goals in them.
71 minSUBSTITUTION: Man Utd's final change of the evening sees Javier Hernandez come on for Tom Cleverley. The Mexican must fancy himself to bag a goal here because the Norwich defence is starting to look very shaky indeed.
72 minGOAL! MAN UTD 4-0 NORWICH (MATA)
72 minJuan Mata bags his second goal of the game, while Man Utd now have four. Evra's cross on the left was met by Valencia at the back post, and his scuffed volley was eventually headed in on the line from Mata. It's all too easy for the hosts at the moment.
74 minCHANCE! Nearly a fifth for the home side as Young cuts in from the left before firing narrowly wide of Ruddy's left post. Giggs said that he wanted to bring some positivity back to Old Trafford. He's certainly done that this evening. The champions are flying.
77 minWhat the Man Utd fans are sure to be pleased with is the intensity with which their team is playing. The hosts may be 4-0 up, but they're still running and battling for possession as if it was the first minute.
79 minCHANCE! Norwich come close to grabbing a consolation as Elmander lashes the ball towards goal from just inside the box. However, the Swede's effort goes inches wide of the post. Norwich make a change as Alex Tettey replaces Leory Fer.
81 min
11 - Manchester United have had more shots on target today than any previous Premier League game this season. Intent.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 201484 minNorwich are showing one or two signs of life as we head into the final five minutes of the match, but it won't be enough for them to avoid a fifth straight defeat in the Premier League. With games against Chelsea and Arsenal to come, the future is not looking particularly bright for the Canaries.
87 minMan Utd are just running the clock down now, passing the ball around and tiring Norwich out. It was a strange opening half at Old Trafford, but the hosts have been dominant in the second period.
89 min
ON THE DOUBLE Substitute Juan Mata celebrates the 1st of his two goals at Old Trafford. Man Utd 4-0 Norwich (88 min) pic.twitter.com/WdtjtDIJEI
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 26, 201490 minThree minutes of added time to be played...
90+2 minCHANCE! How has Hernandez missed that?! The Mexican was put through on goal by Mata, but he got his shot all wrong and scuffed the ball wide.
90+3 minFULL TIME: MAN UTD 4-0 NORWICH
7.22pmLee Probert blows the full-time whistle, bringing an end to a successful first match for Ryan Giggs as Man Utd's interim boss. The Champions have beaten Norwich 4-0 thanks to two goals apiece for Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata.
7.24pmThat's all from our live text coverage of this evening's game, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the post-match reaction from Old Trafford right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!
