United go into the weekend with a 12-point advantage in the league and with second-placed Manchester City not in action until a trip to Aston Villa on Monday, they can strike another blow in the title race by defeating Norwich.
However, with such a commanding points cushion, the priority is likely to be Tuesday's encounter with Madrid, which United will approach in a strong position following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Alex Ferguson's team selection for the Norwich game is likely to reflect the importance of the European tie.
But with Robin van Persie sidelined by the hip injury he sustained in last weekend's 2-0 win at Queens Park Rangers, Wayne Rooney looks likely to be handed a starting berth in attack.
Whether he starts on the pitch or on the bench, Ryan Giggs stands to make his 1000th senior appearance.
"Ryan is very professional and is such an example for the young players," said United captain Nemanja Vidic.
"He is a great example of how to be professional and to play at the top for so long. We have quite a few players like that. Rio (Ferdinand) is the same. He is a committed professional, the same as Paul Scholes."
The keenly contested battle to secure Champions League qualification will garner an increasing share of the headlines.
City's 2-0 defeat of Chelsea on Sunday gave them five points' breathing space in second place, while the Blues find themselves in fourth place after being leapfrogged by in-form Tottenham Hotspur.
Fifth-placed Arsenal, who visit derby rivals Tottenham on Sunday, trail Chelsea by only two points, while Everton are five points further back in sixth.
Chelsea welcome West Bromwich Albion to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with attention on home manager Rafael Benitez after he criticised club fans for their continued protests against him.
Everton will also hope to make ground on teams above them when they host struggling Reading, who slipped to second last after a 3-0 defeat at home to Wigan Athletic.
Wigan's win took them out of the relegation zone at Villa's expense and, ahead of Saturday's game with Liverpool, captain Gary Caldwell has urged the club's supporters to re-create the atmosphere that helped them escape the drop in 2012.
QPR's hopes of avoiding relegation are fading fast, with just 11 games remaining for them to bridge the seven-point gap that separates them from safety.
Harry Redknapp's side visit Southampton, who were left three points above the bottom three following a 4-2 loss at Newcastle United.
In other games, Stoke City host West Ham United, Sunderland are at home to Fulham and Newcastle United travel to Swansea City.