Shocking Manchester United Defending Allows Teemu Pukki To Fire Norwich Level At Old Trafford

Manchester United's defensive frailties were exposed yet again on Saturday as Ralf Rangnick's side conceded another poor goal in their hard-fought win over Norwich.

United had looked to be cruising to victory against the Premier League's bottom side when Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice inside the opening 32 minutes of the match.

But on the stroke of half-time, Norwich pulled a goal back when Pukki set up Kieran Dowell for a simple header at the back post.

Six minutes after the restart, Norwich were level. The visitors capitalising on some shambolic defending from the home side.

Dowell was allowed to pick the ball up in central midfield under no pressure from a United player.

He then looked up to see Pukki unmarked on the right hand side of the field – with United left-back Alex Telles out of position further up the pitch.

Pukki pour égaliser à Old Trafford ⚽‼️ #MUNNOR
pic.twitter.com/JXGQugVQ0u

— •Ɍ18•‘🇰🇷’ (@rdixhuiit) April 16, 2022

Dowell then played a reverse pass to Pukki, which United defender Victor Lindelof attempted to intercept.

But he missed the ball, allowing the Finland international to race through and score past David De Gea.

United fans on social media reacted angrily to the goal.

"We really cant defend. Pukki is a loan striker yet Lindelof is letting him run and pointing for someone else to mark him when he already has Maguire next to him," wrote one fan on Twitter.

"It's poor decision making like that that cost us goals. Any attacking pressure and we concede."

Another wrote: "As expected, with the slow pace we playing at and players lacking urgency... This game was supposed to be put to bed in the 1st half."

Despite their struggles, United would go on to win the match 3-2 after Ronaldo scored a free-kick in the 76th minute to complete his hat-trick.

It was the 50^th hat-trick of the Portuguese's club career and his second in the Premier League this season, having also achieved the feat against Tottenham last month.