Ronaldo had scored just once in his previous 10 games, but
three fantastic finishes took him clear as the highest scorer in professional
men’s football history according to FIFA’s records with 807 goals for club and
country.
Victory lifts United back into fourth, although they are
just two points ahead of Arsenal who have four games in hand.
A fifth defeat in eight league games is another blow to
Tottenham’s hopes of a top-four finish as they remain seventh, now five points
behind United.
Ronaldo’s second spell at Old Trafford has so far proven to
be an anti-climax with his poor form sparking debate over whether the
37-year-old’s powers are waning.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner missed United’s thrashing
in the Manchester derby last weekend and was criticised for a perceived lack of
commitment as he jetted off to Portugal to rehab a hip injury rather than watch
his teammates lost 4-1 at the Etihad.
He was restored to Ralf Rangnick’s starting line-up as one
of five changes from that damaging defeat with Bruno Fernandes the notable
absentee due to illness.
It took just 12 minutes for Ronaldo to make his mark with a
stunning strike into the top corner from outside the box.
However, United failed to build on the early goal and were
instead forced back in a familiar pattern to previous home games this season
against 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 were back in front
thanks to a landmark goal for Ronaldo.
He turned home Jadon Sancho’s inviting cross to surpass
Austria-Czech striker Josef Bican as football’s all-time record goalscorer
according to FIFA’s records.
United’s defensive deficiencies meant Ronaldo’s work was not
done to win the game as Spurs enjoyed 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.
AFP
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