TEEMU LOSS MAKES MESS OF CANARIES

DANIEL FARKE says Norwich being without Teemu Pukki is like Barcelona losing Lionel Messi.

The Canaries’ top scorer (above) has lost his fitness battle for today’s clash with Manchester United.

Adam Idah (below) is hoping to get the nod after last weekend’s FA Cup hat-trick at Preston.

But manager Farke admitted Pukki’s failure to recover from a hamstring problem is a big blow.

He said: “It’s crucial when one of your key players is not available – it’s the same even for Barcelona with Lionel Messi. It’s a huge task for them and even more for us without any doubt. But we can’t change our whole philosophy because of one player.”

Farke warned Norwich fans not to expect too much from Idah, 18, despite his cup heroics.

He said: “It was great for Adam to get a hat-trick, but I don’t like the hype. I was pleased with him – but it’s not like we won the Premier League.”

Josip Drmic is still injured and Norwich can’t call on striker Dennis Srbeny as he has rejoined Bundesliga strugglers Paderborn.

Ironically Srbeny would have featured at Old Trafford but was sick of being kept out by Pukki.

Farke said: “In an ideal world he would have waited until after this game but he wanted to leave – he made it pretty clear.”

Norwich are close to sealing a six-month loan move for Hertha Berlin playmaker Ondrej Duda.

But Farke also played down speculation that right-back Max Aarons is set for a £30million exit with Tottenham, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund all keen.

Farke said: “Max is 20 and has four-and-a-half years of his contract left.

“It’s not the right time for him even to think about a move.”

TEAM LINE-UPS SEE PULLOUT PAGE 12