PL: Ronaldo breaks record and gives United important win

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Manchester United 3 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur

A late Cristiano Ronaldo header sealed his hat-trick and gave Manchester United a crucial win in the race for Champions League football.

MUFC 3 - 2 Spurs

Eight minutes remained when the 37-year-old bulldozed Matt Doherty aside, eyes fixed only on Alex Telles’s corner from the right, and connected his forehead to the ball as he cartwheeled through the air before hitting the turf.

There was ecstasy and the ringing out of Viva Ronaldo from home fans. They could not quite believe their hero had done, again, what he loves to do. 

Spurs have already beaten Manchester City away this season, so this was not an easy task for United.

City 2 - 3 Spurs

Ronaldo’s opener lit up the stadium. Raphaël Varane tapped to Fred who backheeled to the No 7. Cue delirium from the Old Trafford faithful and a lift for the United players. Ronaldo started to drop off the front to link with Diogo Dalot, and Paul Pogba forced a save from Lloris.

United do this, though. They dominate and convince that they are far superior then fall away. This was underlined when Ben Davies beat David de Gea. Antonio Conte celebrated before it was ruled offside. 

United's instability remained, and they were to concede when those in white flooded their territory in a more patient approach. Dejan Kulusevski beat Jadon Sancho and crossed. The ball hit Telles and Jonathan Moss pointed to the spot.

Kane made no mistake, beating De Gea to the latter’s right, yet United had the perfect riposte three minutes later. Matic dropped a ball over the top, Sancho put a cross in from the left, and a delighted Ronaldo restored the lead.

In the second half, Spurs did equalise. Kane held off Varane, and the ball went left to Reguilón. He crossed, and Harry Maguire stabbed in for an own goal that sent the travelling support into party mode. The captain was saved by that late Ronaldo header. When the Portuguese legend was replaced soon after his game-winning bullet header.

The best reaction

Everyone associated with Man United was delighted after such an awful defeat last weekend. PL: Awful United outclassed by City (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)

United's hero posted on Instagram: " "Tremendously happy with my first hat-trick since I came back to Old Trafford! Nothing beats the feeling of being back on the pitch and helping the team with goals and effort.

"We've proven once again that we can beat any team in any given day, as long as we work hard and stand together as one. There are no limits for Man United! No matter what! Let's go, Devils!"

BBC Sport pundit Alan Shearer was full of praise for Ronaldo: "There are some people who think Cristiano Ronaldo is a problem for Manchester United, but god knows where they would be without him.

I said a few weeks ago that, if it wasn't for Ronaldo, United would be far worse off than they are - and Saturday's game against Tottenham summed up why in a nutshell."

Cristiano Ronaldo: 'A phenomenal hat-trick and a staggering performance' - Alan Shearer analysis - BBC Sport

Spurs boss Antonio Conte added: "After this type of performance we deserve much more. We have played very well but we still have a lot of space for improvement."

Hugo Lloris said: “We need to improve but when you look at the game, you can see direction we want to take as a team.”

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