Norwich City's chances of avoiding relegation seem increasingly dismal after a home defeat by Champions League-chasing Manchester United.

It was a match low on chances, but the win moves United to within one point of Manchester City, who are fourth.

With the score goalless, Cameron Jerome had Norwich's best chance only for David de Gea to save his header.

A mistake by Sebastien Bassong allowed Wayne Rooney to race clear and find the supporting Juan Mata, who slotted in.

Defeat left Norwich second from bottom, one point behind Sunderland and two adrift of Newcastle. Both north-east teams play at 15:00 BST.

For United, the prospect of playing in next season's Champions League remains achievable.

Manchester City host Arsenal on Sunday and anything other than victory for Manuel Pellegrini's side would put United's bid for a top-four finish in their own hands.

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• Relive Manchester United's victory over Norwich

United fail to impress again

The visitors controlled the majority of the match, but their attacks lacked zip and imagination, a complaint often made this season by critics of Louis van Gaal's tactics.

United had more than 60% of possession in the first 20 minutes, but failed to muster a shot on target. By half-time, a tame long-distance strike from Jesse Lingard was their only effort on target, while Chris Smalling had headed over from three yards out.

The Red Devils ended the match having had more than 67% of possession but just two shots on target. It is unlikely West Ham's defence will be as generous as Norwich's when Van Gaal's men visit on Tuesday.

Of further concern was Wayne Rooney's role. The captain was a peripheral figure for much of the first half - indeed the only visiting player to have fewer touches than him in the opening 45 minutes was Matteo Darmian, who was substituted after 12 minutes because of injury.

The England international did improve after the break, and it was his tenacity that allowed Mata to score a goal that could prove to be crucial to their Champions League hopes.

Missed chances, bad mistakes

Cheered on by their vociferous supporters, Norwich began the match with energy. They were organised in defence and effective in pressing their visitors, but as the match progressed their players tired and their style of play became increasingly ineffective.

Scoring has been a problem for the Canaries throughout the season, which is why they are facing a return to the Championship, and so it proved again.

Had Jerome headed either side of De Gea from six yards, the brilliant Spaniard may not have been able to prevent the hosts from taking the lead, but the chance was squandered.

Alex Neil changed tactics in the 60th minute, bringing on joint-top scorer Dieumerci Mbokani to aid Jerome in a two-man attack, and while his side managed to loosen United's stranglehold they continued to be profligate, and were made to pay.

Mbokani mistimed a header from 12 yards and Gary O'Neil should have done better than to wildly swing the ball into the stands when Cameron Borthwick-Jackson headed the ball into his path.

They were missed opportunities made all the more galling when Bassong failed to clear near the edge of his box and Rooney nicked possession. The England captain held the ball up and fed the supporting Mata, who was allowed to run 30 yards unchallenged by the equally culpable Martin Olsson.

What the managers said

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "I said to the boys, we have to win, there is no excuse. We have won and it was more than deserved. We keep the pressure on our competitors and I am a happy manager.

"They were also fighting and pressing and it makes it difficult. The second half we did much better because we kept the ball and had more than one chance.

"We have seen this team can manage injuries. Away games are difficult for us and we changed the results by winning here. I hope we can see something between Man City and Arsenal that helps us."

Norwich boss Alex Neil: "The players tried as hard as they could but they make a silly error and it costs us the game.

"We had a chance with Cameron Jerome's header, but there were not many chances in the game. We had good shape but we could not create as much as we would have liked.

"The best teams get the goal when they are on top and ride the pressure. We made an error and it costs us. It is going to be tough, we are relying on other teams but we have got two more games."

The stats you need to know

• Juan Mata has scored more Premier League goals against Norwich City than any other opponent (five).
• Wayne Rooney is now joint-third for assists in Premier League history (95, level with Cesc Fabregas).
• Norwich City have won just one of their past eight Premier League matches at Carrow Road (W1 D2 L5).
• Manchester United have lost only once in their past seven in the Premier League (W5 D1).
• The Canaries have won just two of their previous eight home Premier League games versus United (L6).

What next?

Norwich have two games remaining, at home to Watford on 11 May, followed by a trip to Everton's Goodison Park on the final day of the season. Manchester United visit West Ham on 10 May before hosting Bournemouth next Sunday.