Protests, predatory strikers and City's bid for an Old Trafford upset

Dean Smith may well be the newest member to the Hanley fan club, after he conceded on Friday he had been pleasantly surprised by the Scottish international’s ability on the pitch, and leadership off it.

A smiling Smith did also chide his skipper he needs to chip in with more goals, after a thumping header earned the first victory of the City’s chief tenure against Southampton.

But Hanley did notch another winner to beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in 2011 for the defender's first club, Blackburn, on his compatriot’s 70th birthday.

“It would be nice if he scored more goals. But he knows that,” said Smith. “I've spoken before at length about Grant, an underrated player probably by myself as well, before I actually came to this football club.

"He was injured when I first came here so I hadn't seen an awful lot of him. I've been really impressed with what he brings to the team, not only on the pitch, but off the pitch as well.

Dean Smith hopes Norwich City have caught United at the right time (Image: Focus Images Limited)

"If his statistics compare favourably to other centre backs throughout the league it doesn’t surprise. I'm not so sure many people know how quick he is. But he's very quick.

"It was interesting I had a chat with Ollie Watkins not long ago, and he was telling me how much he doesn't like playing against Grant, which was pleasing for me to hear.”

That recent resolve from Hanley and City’s backline, which has brought two Premier League clean sheets against Brighton and Burnley, will be severely tested by Cristiano Ronaldo and pals.

“You can't get away from the fact they are very good footballers. If they weren't, they wouldn't be at Manchester United,” said Smith. “One of them has got, I don’t know how many, Ballon d'Or awards. We have to be at our best defensively.

Cristiano Ronaldo was Manchester United's match winner at Norwich City from the penalty spot earlier this season (Image: Focus Images Limited)

"When we're attacking our ‘rest defending’ has to be really good, because they can certainly attack very quickly on the counter with the players that they've got, (Jadon) Sancho, (Anthony) Elanga, (Bruno) Fernandes, Ronaldo.

“We've analysed Manchester United's last three or four games, as we always do. We can also look back at the performance early in the season at Carrow Road, where I thought we played really well and deserved something from that game.

"We'll certainly look back at some of the clips and show those to the players.”

Smith may also have to price in the sense of bubbling frustration around Old Trafford, amid reports of player unrest, coaching change, and planned fan protests towards the American ownership.

“I've been told there might be some kind of protest at the ground,” he said. “Sometimes in this league you need to be playing teams at the right time.

"If there was a time then probably now is the one, having just lost to Everton, talk of protests at the stadium, talk of a new incoming manager.

"We have to try and take advantage of that opportunity. Hopefully for us this is the right time, although I don't think there's ever a time when you really look forward to going to Old Trafford when you're bottom of the league.

“With the history of the football club, and what Sir Alex did over a long period, there's an expectancy. It's been very difficult to follow in those footsteps and their fans, I have no doubt, are expecting them to get back to that level as soon as they can.

"When we turn up at Manchester United they are going to expect them to beat a team bottom of the table.

“It's important we can quieten them early, and the longer we can do that the more frustrated they may become.

"Maybe some of their players are even targeted, and if we are doing our jobs on the day then you can turn the fans even more.”