Adam Drury admitted it was typical Manchester United on Sunday, as Sir Alex Ferguson's defending champions snatched victory at Carrow Road.

Paul Lambert's Canaries have instilled their own habit of nicking points at the death – but this time City had to suck up the punishment as Ryan Giggs stole in with just a minute of added time remaining to earn United a win they did not deserve, but one necessary to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders and their neighbours, Manchester City.

'They've been doing it for years, haven't they?' admitted Drury. 'It's one of those things. You can see that's why they win titles as well.

'We go until the end, they go until the end. But it shows how far we've come when at the end of it we are disappointed not to come away with at least a point. You can see why they are champions and that's why they are up there challenging again. It's not just us, they do it every week.

'It's massively gutting, but that's football – and we've done it to a few teams over the last couple of seasons.

'Obviously it's massively disappointing because we went toe to toe with them throughout the whole game. So we are gutted but it shows how far we're come and at the same time you have got to be proud of what we have done.

'The performance deserved something but football can be cruel and it was today. But we've shown we can compete with the best.'

The last time United came to Carrow Road, they left with a 2-0 defeat – in a 2004-05 season in which Ferguson's side ended up finishing behind Arsenal and winners Chelsea.

Of course, it remains to be seen where Sir Alex's 2011-12 reincarnation of United will finish. But Drury, who played in both games, believes there is little between each version: 'The way they play hasn't changed a lot – and obviously they have still go some of the same players playing as well!' smiled Drury, who enjoyed a fierce contest with Portuguese winger Nani.

'But they are top class and with world class players. It is just as difficult whoever they play. We acquitted ourselves well, that was the main thing. There are a massive amount of positives from this. We had the disappointment of the FA Cup and then the great performance today and we were unfortunate not to get something.

'We've had high standards all season and we've just got to keep making sure we stick to them.

'It's a massive disappointment for us but there are so many positives we can take out of the game, we will look at the good things.'