Ronaldo hat-trick gives United hope as fans simmer
● Cristiano Ronaldo’s 50th club career hattrick and second Premier League treble of the season earned below-par Manchester United a 3-2 victory over Norwich City last night amid scenes of fan protest at Old Trafford.
With Tottenham Hotspur losing 1-0 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion earlier yesterday, the door was open for United to close on the Champions League qualification places with victory over bottom side Norwich — and they just about took advantage.
A first-half double from veteran striker Ronaldo seemingly put the hosts on course for a comfortable win in the sunshine, with Norwich struggling to keep pace.
However, Kieran Dowell’s goal out of nowhere in first-half stoppage time got the visitors back in the contest, before Finnish forward Teemu Pukki completed the Norwich comeback to stun Old Trafford into silence seven minutes after the break.
Fans who protested against the club’s owners ahead of the match were singing “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” in the second-half as their team were second best to a team seven points adrift of the Premier League safety zone.
United’s midfielder Paul Pogba was booed by his own fans as he was substituted before Ronaldo stole the show once again with a sensational winner 14 minutes from time.
The win, United’s first in four games in all competitions, moved them above Arsenal, who lost 1-0 at Southampton, into fifth on 54 points from 32 matches.
“I don’t think we need to speak anymore about Cristiano,” United coach Ralf Rangnick said.
“He showed against Tottenham and today he can be the difference maker. It is no coincidence he has scored the amount of goals he has.”
Thousands of fans protested outside the stadium against the Glazer family ownership, chanting “Get out of our club”.
Young winger Anthony Elanga did the leg work, winning the ball off Norwich defender Ben Gibson before squaring for Ronaldo to net his first goal in five games for club and country.
He showed against Tottenham and today he can be the difference maker
A trademark Ronaldo leap from an Alex Telles corner in the 32nd minute doubled the home side’s lead.
Goalkeeper David de Gea was forced into a fine save to deny Milot Rashica as Norwich pressed to really cause an uproar, with fans turning on the players.
But one player has been immune to fan criticism, and for good reason, as against the run of play, Ronaldo arrowed his 21st goal of the season past Tim Krul to win it for United to revive their hopes of securing a top-four finish.