Norwich boss Dean Smith disappointed in slack start from Canaries at Old Trafford in 3-2 defeat

Dean Smith admitted that a slow start cost his Norwich City side in their 3-2 defeat away at Manchester United.

The Canaries – who prop up the Premier League table – found themselves 2-0 down by the 32^nd minute as Cristiano Ronaldo hit a brace.

Goals from Kieran Dowell and Teemu Pukki saw Smith’s side fight back to 2-2 and they had chances to win it in a thriller for the neutral before Ronaldo struck again with a trademark free-kick to snatch the three points and a second Premier League hat-trick in just over a month.

Smith – who has already claimed a win at Old Trafford with Aston Villa this season – spoke post-match of his frustration, saying: “We’re extremely disappointed after that.

“You can’t give the goals away that we did today against Manchester United. When you concede three goals here, you normally lose, and that did happen.

“I thought we could’ve been better in both boxes because we’ve had some good chances on the counter, but giving them a two-goal lead just doesn’t help our cause here.

“I think he [Tim Krul] could save the free-kick, when it goes to the goalkeeper’s side, you always feel that he could do better and I’m sure he will feel that way too.”

Centre back Ben Gibson was at fault for the two early goals, gifting the ball to Anthony Elanga inside his own box for the first before allowing Ronaldo to get the run on him as the United man headed home the second from Alex Telles goal.

Smith didn’t wish to criticise his defender though, adding: “Players know when they’ve made mistakes, they don’t need me to go in there [the dressing room] and have a go at them.

“We made three big mistakes today and the only thing you can do is learn from them.”

Most inside Old Trafford would agree that for large spells, particularly in the second half, it wasn’t clear which side was battling relegation and which was trying to qualify for Europe.

Smith said: “One thing I can’t question is the spirit of the players. They’re showing great fight and we know what an uphill task we’ve got.

“We can’t change today but hopefully we’ll carry on our performance levels and our standards at home against Newcastle [United next Saturday].”

The Canaries are currently adrift of safety in 20^th place by a margin of seven points with six games left to play. Some of those teams above them however have games in hand.

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