The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was eluded in the United’s thrashing in the Manchester derby last weekend and was blamed for lack of commitment tendency as he took off to Portugal to restore a hip injury instead of watching his team colleagues lost 4-1 at the Etihad. He was fixed back to Ralf Rangnick’s starting line-up as one of five changes from that devastating defeat with Bruno Fernandes, the remarkable absentee due to bad health.
Around 12 minutes, Ronaldo made remarkably a stunning strike into the top corner from outside the box. Though, United failed to develop on the initial goal and was instead compelled back in a familiar pattern to former home games this season with stronger opposition.
Spurs quickly had the ball in the net in response only for Ben Davies to be flagged offside before Eric Dier’s header from a corner was cleared off the line. A Tottenham equaliser seemed only a matter of time and was gifted to them when Alex Telles handled Dejan Kulusevski’s cross for a clear penalty.
Harry Kane smashed home the resulting spot-kick to continue his fine form for his sixth goal in as many games. Within three minutes, though, United was back in front thanks to a landmark goal for Ronaldo.
He changed home Jadon Sancho’s inviting cross to surpass Austria-Czech striker Josef Bican as football’s all-time record goalscorer following FIFA’s data. United’s defensive issues meant Ronaldo’s job was not done to win the game as Spurs had good experiences in the better of the second half.
Son Heung-min hooked a glorious chance wide from Kulusevski’s cut-back. When a second equaliser did arrive for Antonio Conte’s men it was thanks to more misery for United captain Harry Maguire. Consistent errors from the England international have played a huge part in his side’s struggles this season and he turned into his own net from Sergio Reguilon’s cross.
Conte screamed for focus from his side on the sideline, but they succumbed again to Ronaldo’s predatory instincts. The United number seven rose highest to meet Telles’ corner nine minutes from time to power a header into the top corner for just his second United hat-trick and first since returning to Old Trafford in August.
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