Norwich City manager Dean Smith is facing a selection crisis ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Manchester United at Carrow Road. The Canaries are waiting on the results of four PCR tests after several players reported feeling unwell, while five others are already ruled out.
Smith confirmed that three or four players are being tested for COVID-19 after showing symptoms. “We have a couple of players who have picked up knocks and we have a couple of Covid-19 related issues we are waiting on results for,” he said, as quoted by Norfolk Live. He added that the first round of testing was all clear.
Norwich will be without Brandon Williams, who is ineligible to face his parent club Manchester United. Also missing are Milot Rashica (groin), Mathias Normann (pelvic), Christoph Zimmerman (ankle), and Sam Byram (lack of match fitness).
Smith is likely to stick with a system that offered opportunities despite a 3-0 defeat at Tottenham last week. Norwich's predicted XI includes Krul in goal, with a back five of Aarons, Omobamidele, Hanley, Gibson, and Giannoulis. The midfield is expected to feature Lees-Melou, Gilmour, and McLean, with Sargent and Pukki up front.
This will be Smith's second meeting with Manchester United this season, having led Aston Villa to a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in September. For United interim manager Ralf Rangnick, it is his first away game in charge, having overseen a win and a draw in his first two matches.
