Will Keane helped himself to five goals during Manchester United's under-21 thrashing of Norwich City at Old Trafford.

United had been beaten earlier on in the season by the Canaries, but Keane netted a first-half hat-trick to erase any chances of a repeat.

Andreas Pereira converted a penalty just after half-time and Timothy Fosu-Mensah also got on the score-sheet in front of Louis van Gaal.

Strong side started strongly

Warren Joyce fielded a strong side which contained Phil Jones, Memphis Depay, Adnan Januzaj as well as Pereira, who has been a feature in van Gaal's team this season.

Januzaj picked out Keane and the deadlock would have been broken if it wasn't for a brilliant save from Remi Matthews down at his near post.

Norwich were living dangerously, with Januzaj and Keane both having shots saved, but the opening goal of the night eventually came on 13 minutes.

Keane opens scoring with first of five

Keane finally opened the floodgates when Pereira neatly picked him out, and the striker smashed home with his second effort of the game.

Injuries to Januzaj and Guillermo Varela halted proceedings around the half-hour mark, but United got their second soon after.

Memphis held back his cross, which caught the defender out, before he played the ball across the box to Keane, who was left with a tap-in.

Depay responded with brilliant performance (Getty)
Depay responded with brilliant performance (Getty)

Second-half to savour for Reds

United's second spot-kick claim of the game was waved away before their third went in just seven minutes into the second-half.

Memphis was gifted possession by Joe Crowe and the rest was history, Keane was played in and produced a lofted finish for his hat-trick.

Donald Love drove one just over the bar before Joyce's side brought up goal number four from the spot, which Pereira slotted away after being fouled by Ray Grant.

United's dominance continued

Keane added his fourth of the night before the hour mark with a breathtaking goal, Cantona-esque, which had van Gaal and the crowd on their feet.

Fosu-Mensah calmly finished for his first goal at under-21 level and Keane followed that with his fifth of the game after some clever play in the midfield.

The forward came close to claiming a double hat-trick in the final 13 minutes of the game, and the astounding result closes the gap between themselves and Sunderland at the top to just a single point.

Joyce's side now face Manchester City twice in the space of nine days, the first of which will be at home on February 11 as their season begins to pick up some momentum.

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About the author
Andrew McDonnell
Sports writer based in the North-East of England, safe to say I have found my niche in sports writing and I strive to succeed with everything I do, including Vavel, both in the UK and USA. First official Writer of the week for the USA office too. Cover Manchester United, Watford, Cricket, MLS and NFL.