Cristiano Ronaldo nets record-breaking hat-trick as Man Utd claim crucial Premier League win

Feargal Brennan

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Will Savage

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Cristiano Ronaldo nets record-breaking hat-trick as Man Utd claim crucial Premier League win image

Cristiano Ronaldo announced himself back in the Manchester United starting side with an inspirational hat-trick in their 3-2 Premier League win over rivals Tottenham that sent the Red Devils back into the top four.

They unseated Arsenal, who have four games in hand, but the Gunners are in action on Sunday.

Ronaldo found himself at the centre of the pre-game chat as Ralf Rangnick brought him back into the team against Antonio Conte's side. And the Portuguese superstar responded in trademark style, bringing his overall personal goal tally to 807, as the outright top goalscorer in men's football history.

Despite a string of star names on the pitch for both sides, it was Ronaldo who ran the game from the opening whistle, as he crashed home a superb long-distance opener after just 13 minutes.

Spurs did react before the break, as Harry Kane tucked home from the penalty spot, before Ronaldo put United back in front from Jadon Sancho's cut-back cross just before the break.

However, United struggled to gain enough momentum to see off Spurs' challenge in the second period, as captain Harry Maguire diverted home an unfortunate own goal for the 2-2 equaliser.

But there was still time for one more twist, as Ronaldo escaped his marker on an Alex Telles corner, to head home a dramatic winner with seven minutes remaining. 

Man Utd now turn their focus to Tuesday night's Champions League second leg at home against Atletico Madrid with the goal of advancing into the quarter-finals.

Their next Premier League match will be at home to Leicester on April 2 as four teams — Manchester United, Arsenal, West Ham and Tottenham — continue their battle for fourth place and the one remaining Champions League berth for next season.

MORE: How Tottenham beat Manchester United to Antonio Conte

Man United vs. Tottenham final score

  1H 2H Final
Man Utd  2 1 3
Tottenham 1 1 2

Goals:
MUN — Ronaldo (Fred) — 13th min.
TOT — Kane (penalty) — 36th min.
MUN — Ronaldo (Sancho) — 39th min.
TOT — Maguire (own goal) — 72nd min.
MUN — Ronaldo (Telles) — 83rd min.

Man United vs. Tottenham updates

Final: Manchester United 3, Tottenham 2

It's all over after an incredible 90 minutes at Old Trafford as record breaking Cristiano Ronaldo took centre stage with his first hat trick since returning to the club to seal all three points for the hosts.

90th min.: Four minutes added on at Old Trafford

89th min.: Poor tackle from Pogba on Kane gets the Frenchman a booking as Antonio Conte brings on Harry Winks and Steven Bergwijn for Rodrigo Bentancur and Davies.

85th min.: Ronaldo is substituted to a standing ovation at Old Trafford and Victor Lindelof is on.

83rd min.: RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AGAIN.........HIS 59TH CAREER HAT TRICK

INCREDIBLE STUFF FROM RONALDO - Telles whips the corner in and Ronaldo thumps home a brilliant header!!!

79th min.: Another chance for Ronaldo but Lloris is sharp to the situation to make an important save as Spurs bring on Lucas Moura for Kulusevski and Edinson Cavani replaces Nemanja Matic for United.

72nd min.: WHAT HAS JUST HAPPENED!?!

Reguilon breaks in behind and crosses into the box as a sliding Harry Maguire diverts the ball beyond De Gea for an OWN GOAL!!!

69th min.: Ronaldo bursts forward once again for United and tests Lloris from a tight angle as Anthony Elanga replaces Rashford.

63rd min.: Brilliant move from Spurs as Kane slips in Kulusevski and his lay off is blasted just wide of the post by Son.

60th min.: Spurs are slowly coming back into the game as Matt Doherty wins a free kick from Telles.

51st min.: Stop start beginning to the second half with Pogba and Marcus Rashford both down receiving treatment for injuries.

46th min.: BACK UNDERWAY AT OLD TRAFFORD

No changes for either side at the break......another brilliant 45 minutes incoming?

Halftime: Manchester United 2, Tottenham 1

Half time after a breathless 45 minutes at Old Trafford as Ronaldo smashed another goal scoring record with his 806th career goal.

Ronaldo's brace, including an early wonder strike, has United 2-1 up at the interval with Tom Brady enjoying his day in Manchester so far!

39th min.: RONALDOOOOOOOOO AGAIN!!!!

Jadon Sancho burst into a gap in behind the Spurs defence and squares across the box for Ronaldo to tuck past Lloris.

36th min.: KANE SCORES FOR SPURS!!!!

David De Gea guesses the right way but Kane powers the equaliser past him!! 1-1 at Old Trafford!!!

35th min.: PENALTY TO SPURS

Dejan Kulusevski whizzes a cross into the box and Alex Telles sticks out a hand........up steps Harry Kane!!!!

31st min.: Ronaldo tries to race away on the counter attack but Dier is booked for cynically hauling him back.

28th min.: HUGE CHANCE FOR SPURS

Eric Dier wins a clean header inside the box from Son Heung-min's corner but Diogo Dalot reacts superbly to hack clear off the goal line!!

25th min.: Ronaldo wants more.........as he flashes a headers just wide of the post.

19th min.: United look hungry for an immediate second goal, as Paul Pogba's effort swerves just wide, and Ben Davies has the ball in the net at the other end, but the offside flag is straight up.

13th min.: RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

AN ABSOLUTE WONDER STRIKE FROM CRISTIANO RONALDO!!!!

Fred flicks the ball off to him on the edge of the box and Ronaldo HAMMERS an unstoppable strike beyond Hugo Lloris!!!

12th min.: A surprise face at Old Trafford

10th min.: A busy start at Old Trafford with both sides starting a top speed on the night with Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty shouts waved away by referee Jon Moss.

Kick-off: WE ARE UNDERWAY AT OLD TRAFFORD

Man United vs. Spurs lineups

Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane are both recalled by Rangnick, as part of five starting changes, with Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes omitted from the starting XI due to Covid-19 regulations at the club.

Man United starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): De Gea (GK) — Telles, Maguire, Varane, Dalot — Matic, Fred — Rashford, Pogba, Sancho — Ronaldo

Man United subs (9): Henderson (GK), Bailly, Jones, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka, Lingard, Mata, Cavani, Elanga

Antonio Conte heads into this game with a fairly complete roster. Oliver Skipp is set to miss out with a groin problem, with Japhet Tanganga also sidelined. Winger Ryan Sessegnon failed a late fitness test as Sergio Reguilon steps in as his replacement.

Tottenham starting lineup (3-4-3, left to right): Lloris (GK) — Davies, Dier, Romero — Reguilon, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Doherty — Son, Kane, Kulusevski

Tottenham subs (9): Gollini, Rodon, Sanchez, Royal, White, Winks, Bergwijn, Lucas, Scarlett

MORE: Last time Tottenham won a trophy? It's been a while

Feargal Brennan

Feargal Brennan Photo

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.

Will Savage