Here is Paddy’s verdict on Dean Smith’s ailing Norwich, who had Manchester United in serious discomfort before Cristiano Ronaldo moved centre stage at Carrow Road.

Tim Krul 8

No repeat of his penalty saving heroics from United’s last Premier League visit. But assured distribution on the floor and a series of excellent reaction stops. Flew to his right to ensure Alex Telles’ deflected free kick was not dropping underneath his bar.

Two handed parry to foil Ronaldo after he chopped back onto his left just on the angle of the six yard box. But the pick was a back pedalling tip over to claw out Harry Maguire’s looping header.

• Max Aarons 6

Got himself too deep inside his own six yard box and clearly had an arm around the back of Ronaldo’s neck, who needed little invitation to go down to earn the match-deciding penalty. Will know himself from the television replays he could have let the cross drift over the pair’s head with no real alarms. Front foot attacking play in a bright start.

Cut back inside Telles but a deep cross towards Josh Sargent was cleared. Important near post headed clearance from Bruno Fernandes’ corner. Crudely upended by Scott McTominay on a buccaneering run in the 43rd minute. Set up Przemyslaw Placheta to pull the trigger shortly after the interval. .

• Grant Hanley (C) 5

Worrying fall on his left shoulder and clearly in huge pain given how long he stayed down and how he was unable to continue. Used his experience to hold up Marcus Rashford and win an early free kick. Perhaps harshly penalised for grappling with the England striker in the 14th minute, but Telles’ free kick struck the bar.

• Ozan Kabak 8

You would be hard pressed to recall a better display since he arrived. Played within himself. Kept the ‘Maradona’ bursts to a minimum. Set the tone in the 11th minute when he was out sharply to block from McTominay. Great anticipation to make a sliding clearance to deal with Jadon Sancho’s cross. Much to the appreciation of Tim Krul.

Then a huge aerial threat in the final quarter. Twice forced David De Gea into flying saves, although the second in all probability may have been pulled back for offside. Now City’s only fit senior centre back.

• Dimi Giannoulis 7

Big day with Brandon Williams ineligible. Looked like a man on a mission. Tore upfield in support of Josh Sargent. Crafted a teasing cross Lukas Rupp was unable to finish five minutes before the break.

But it was his defensive work that caught the eye, given the criticism levelled at him earlier this season. Snapped into a tackle to halt a Diogo Dalot counter. Read Fernandes’ intention to cut out a throughball for United’s front two.

In the wars after the interval with a heavy impact from McTominay. Understandably a touch of cramp late on.

• Billy Gilmour 6

A touch sloppy at times in the first half. Exerted more control of the home tempo after the interval. Picked out Ozan Kabak who crashed a header goalwards De Gea brilliantly tipped away.

Could have fashioned the equaliser when he smacked a rising right footer from the edge of the area that brushed Fred and flew behind for a corner. Hanley’s early injury exit robbed him of a prime set piece target. .

• Kenny McLean 6

Injected that energy and drive it was going to take in the first half especially. Offered himself as a mobile target before reversing a ball into the path of Sargent. Showed inside for Placheta before driving forward and picking out the Pole again.

• Lukas Rupp 7

Covered so much ground in that opening period to give City the upper hand in a key area of the park for the visitors. Two minutes in he turned out of trouble with a cultured pirouette to set up Kenny McLean.

Never neglected his defensive duties with a vital far post touch to divert a ball dropping for Fernandes. Helped on a Placheta chip but Teemu Pukki was not quite on the same wavelength.

A glancing header five minutes from the interval lacked the power to trouble De Gea. Slipped in Pukki with a clever cushioned first time pass for the Finn to bring out a stunning save.

• Josh Sargent 6

Tireless shift. No real goal threat but his sheer size, pace and power commands attention from the opposition. Vital touch to divert Telles’ free kick against the home bar. Collected McLean’s reverse ball before driving infield to set up Pukki.

Diverted Telles’ free kick onto the bar. Flicked on a cross met by Sorensen.

• Teemu Pukki 6

Foiled by De Gea’s best stop of a large collection. Turned onto Rupp’s first time pass to roll Victor Lindelof but De Gea was up for the challenge to divert Pukki’s rising left footer over the bar.

Ball did not always stick when launched from defence. Sloppy attempt to control triggered a flowing United counter that ended with Krul denying Ronaldo. .

• Przemyslaw Placheta 6

City fans showed their appreciation as he made his way back around the perimeter of the pitch following his second half substitution. Smith wanted him in the side for his pace.

One prime example when he worked a ball around the corner for McLean then hared upfield before a cool chip for Rupp. De Gea gathered his low, left-footed effort immediately after the restart.

City substitutes

• Jacob Sorensen (for Hanley, 21) 7

Nerveless home Premier League debut after being thrust into the spotlight due to Grant Hanley’s injury exit. Tremendous reading of the game and composure to break up the play as United looked to spring both Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford.

Held up Ronaldo in the 32nd minute before an interception on the edge of his own area. Flick header on the hour mark was blocked at close range.

• Todd Cantwell (for Placheta, 70) 5

Slaloming run earned a free kick Pierre Lees-Melou hooked wide.

• Pierre Lees-Melou (for Rupp, 76) 5

Went with effectively his wrong foot when a Billy Gilmour free kick flew to him on the edge of the area. Big gamble hanging a leg to send Fred tumbling inches outside his own box.