Ronaldo's hat-trick gives Man Utd massive three points against Tottenham Hotspurs
Key takeaways:
- Cristiano Ronaldo quadrupled his goal total for 2022.
- Cristiano Ronaldo netted his first Manchester United hat-trick in 14 years as Tottenham was beaten in an exciting encounter at Old Trafford.
Man Utd move to the Champions League position:
The sharp Portuguese set United ahead twice before heading home the victor from Alex Telles' corner nine minutes from time, the 807th goal of his career.
Tottenham twice replied to Ronaldo's actions through a Harry Kane penalty and a Harry Maguire's own goal.
But it was Ronaldo who had the final talk, finishing his first United hat-trick since January 2008, in a 6-0 victory over Newcastle.
The outcome was a significant confidence boost for United ere Tuesday's Champions League last-16 second leg versus Atletico Madrid.
It also forces them back into the top four and holds Tottenham in seventh, although Arsenal - two points back in fifth - stay favorites to fix the last Champions League berth as they have four matches in hand.
There was news that Ronaldo is now the Fifa-recognised all-time top goalscorer, topping Josef Bican's 805 goals, but there are suspicions regarding the Czech-Austrian's figure, including extra matches.
The Ronaldo performance
The controversy around Ronaldo's value to this United team has been moving on since their season began to wear a couple of weeks barely after his much-heralded return.
At 37, it is straightforward his best days are after him.
Yet he stays competent of such moments of grandeur that it is difficult to see how this current team would benefit from him not being there.
His opener was an excellent instance.
Fred's masterful flick to the side helped much, but Ronaldo's two special touches teed up the right-footed attempt that flew over Hugo Lloris and into the top corner.