Norwich City 1 - 2 Manchester Utd: Last-minute Giggs keeps title hunt on track

SIR Alex Ferguson hailed the resilience of his Manchester United team after admitting they had been second best to Norwich for large parts of yesterday’s 2-1 victory at Carrow Road, where Ryan Giggs netted a stoppage-time winner on his 900th appearance.

After falling behind to a close-range header by Paul Scholes on seven minutes, the Canaries rallied and forced David de Gea into a string of fine saves.

The United goalkeeper was finally beaten seven minutes from time by Norwich skipper Grant Holt.

However, that just served to spark the champions into life as Ashley Young’s goalbound effort was blocked and Danny Welbeck missed a free header from two yards before Giggs ensured a fairytale finish when he stabbed home to keep United on the tails of Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City.

“We were lucky, in the sense Norwich had more promise about them. We were lethargic, too casual on the ball,” Ferguson said. “Then, when we lost the goal, we played brilliantly. “That tells you something about the temperament. They do not get nervous and started to up their game, so that augurs well.”

Ferguson, who confirmed Wayne Rooney and Tom Cleverley were ruled out of England’s friendly against the Netherlands on Wednesday through illness and injury, added: “Norwich deserved a point and it was a great goal they scored, but at that moment you saw us as Manchester United. I am sure this result will have an impact [on the season]. Everyone knows we never give in..”

Giggs, 38, admitted it was a “real honour” to mark his 900th game with the winner. “It doesn’t get any better,” the Welshman said. Norwich manager Paul Lambert said: “That was a huge performance by us. We gave everything.”