With England forward Wayne Rooney not travelling to Norfolk because of a groin problem and Robin van Persie still not match fit, United lacked a cutting edge in attack during a first-half in which the Canaries were well on top.
However, following Welbeck's introduction at the restart, United looked much more balanced going forwards and got the crucial breakthrough on 57 minutes when a clearance from Ryan Bennett bounced back off the England striker and on into the penalty area, where he rounded John Ruddy to slot home.
Goal! Danny Welbeck scored soon after coming on to win the game for Manchester United
Delight: Welbeck's goal gave David Moyes' side the lead in the second half
Ahead: The United striker rounds John Ruddy before sliding the ball into the net
Reaching it: It was a well finished goal from Welbeck and a very important one
Relief: Welbeck and his team-mates celebrate the winning goal
Despite all their changes from the 3-2 win at Hull on Boxing Day, with captain Nemanja Vidic back in defence and midfielder Michael Carrick starting his first match since mid-November, United had started brightly.
On six minutes, Ashley Young got away down the right and his cross found its way through to Shinji Kagawa at the far post. The Japan forward cut the ball back through the six-yard box, where Norwich goalkeeper Ruddy palmed it clear.
Norwich - with Irish playmaker Wes Hoolahan recalled to a five-man midfield in support of Gary Hooper - offered little attacking threat in the first quarter-of-an-hour as too many passes went astray.
Suddenly, though, the Canaries carved United open down the right as Robert Snodgrass played in Russell Martin.
The full-back's angled drive was palmed away by David de Gea and the loose ball was just out of reach for Hoolahan as it was bundled behind for a corner.
Hooper's snapshot from six yards was then straight at De Gea as Norwich continued to press, with Snodgrass curling wide from the edge of the United area.
Norwich were enjoying the better of possession as the half-hour passed.
Captain Sebastien Bassong also found the United goalkeeper with a close-range header before Hoolahan's shot after a weaving run into the penalty area was blocked by Jonny Evans.
Stretch: Wes Hoolahan tries to poke the ball into the goal under pressure from Chris Smalling
Despair: The Norwich midfielder holds his head in his hands as the ball rolls wide
Strength and power: Norwich's Leroy Fer barges his way past Ryan Giggs
Lucky: An anxious David de Gea watches as Redmond's shot goes inches wide
Young drove forwards and flashed a 20-yard shot just over Ruddy's crossbar.
At the other end, winger Nathan Redmond's low effort curled through the United six-yard box and just wide of the near post.
United took the lead on 57 minutes.
Centre-half Bennett - in for the suspended Michael Turner - crashed his clearance against Welbeck, which cannoned back off the United forward and on to Hernandez.
The ball then bounced through towards goal, where Welbeck sprinted into the area to round Ruddy and slip the ball into the empty net for his fourth goal in five appearances.
Norwich's energy was clearly drained, having seen all of their earlier hard work undone in a moment of poor fortune.
United, though, were in cruise control as they looked to close in on a sixth straight win, with Hernandez's 25-yard effort testing Ruddy.
With 22 minutes left, both teams made changes as Norwich sent on club-record signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel to replace Hooper and Adnan Januzaj came on for Kagawa.
Eighteen-year-old winger Josh Murphy was introduced to try to inject some fresh impetus into the Norwich attack for the final 11 minutes, with Snodgrass substituted.
The late rally never materialised, though, as United closed out what was in the end a comfortable victory to leave Norwich looking over their shoulders at the battle for survival once again.
All arms: Gary Hooper tries to get the ball off Nemanja Vidic
Doublle marking: Ashley Young is marshalled by Bradley Johnson (centre) and Nathan Redmond
Worried: David Moyes stares at the pitch intently as United struggle to get into their rhythm
On the charge: Shinji Kagawa pushes away Norwich's Fer on his way forward
Hard: Tom Cleverley looks fearful of what is to come as Russell Martin lunges into a tackle
Fans: Boxer Anthony Ogogo shows his support as Danny Welbeck races away from Redmond
50/50: Redmond and fit again Michael Carrick contest in the midfield
Prayer: Javier Hernandez looks up to the heavens before the game begins
Fun: A children's entertainer fires off some giant bubbles before the game
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