The proceedings at Old Trafford on Saturday between Man United and Norwich City were quite the eventful 90 minutes.
Manchester United went ahead 2-0 through a Cristiano Ronaldo brace, only to see the relegation-threatened Canaries come roaring back to level the score. Ronaldo was there to rescue the club, bagging his hat-trick to give United the 3-2 win.
The Red Devils supporters made sure that wasn't all, however. There was a fan march before the game to protest the team's ownership under the Glazer family, and the fans booed Paul Pogba off the field midway through the match as well.
Interim manager Ralf Rangnick was peppered with questions about the subjects after the match, and spoke on many of the issues following the narrow victory.
MORE: Ronaldo second-oldest player ever to score Premier League hat-trick
Man United fans boo Paul Pogba off the Old Trafford pitch
Boos rang around the stadium when Pogba was withdrawn in the second half, with the atmosphere toxic until Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner with a free kick.
Pogba has become a lightning rod for these frustrations with Man Utd's performances this season, with the club set to continue a trophy drought that has persisted since 2017. He is also a target of ire for his refusal to sign a new contract, meaning a man signed for a then-world record fee of $116 million in 2017 is set to leave Man Utd as a free agent - for the second time - this summer.
With Man Utd drawing 2-2 against rock bottom Norwich at the time Pogba was subbed off, the anger of the fans once again came to the surface. The Frenchman then reacted by cupping his ears to the supporters - which will only further alienate the two opposing parties.
Rangnick came to the defense of his player, saying that the entire squad and staff is frustrated with the inconsistent play, but attacking one player is against the spirit of the support he believes fans should engage in.
"To be honest, I didn't hear it," Rangnick admitted. "Listen, absolutely I can fully understand that the fans are frustrated, so are we, so are the players, so is the staff. But I don't think they [the fans] should target and take on individual players. We have a collective responsibility, everybody here, and that's why I don't think it's right and correct to take on individual players."
🗣 "I can fully understand that the fans are frustrated, so are we, but I don't think they should target individual players.."pic.twitter.com/rcivtpGEEm
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 16, 2022
What is Pogba's Man Utd future?
Speculation over the future of the former Juventus player - a superstar in the making when he returned to Manchester United and with a reputation only enhanced by his part in Les Bleus' World Cup victory at Russia 2018 - has been a major topic at Old Trafford this term.
With a deal that expires at the end of the season, questions had been asked whether the midfielder would leave on a free transfer following a second spell at Old Trafford that, after an initial burst of silverware under Jose Mourinho, has failed to live up to expectation, and seen him become something of a regular scapegoat alongside skipper Harry Maguire.
But the reports suggesting an increased deal to keep him at the Theatre of Dreams seem to have been met with wide disdain, and may well have contributed to the vitriolic response directed his way during Saturday's game.
MORE: How many hat-tricks has Ronaldo scored in his career?
Rangnick says Ronaldo's future is not his decision
Ralf Rangnick has said it is not his decision whether Cristiano Ronaldo remains at Manchester United beyond this season, acknowledging that would be the responsibility of the next Red Devils manager.
Ronaldo bagged a hat-trick on Saturday to bring his Premier League goal tally to 15, and Rangnick praised the star for his contribution. However, there are reports that presumed incoming head coach Erik Ten Hag does not want Ronaldo in the team, a possibility Rangnick declined to address.
"It's not my decision," Rangnick told reporters. "Cristiano has another year of contract. It’s a decision for the new manager to take with the board.
"He showed today and against Tottenham he can be the difference maker in games like this and It's no coincidence he has the best goal scoring record of all players in history."
It has been a difficult campaign to judge Ronaldo, especially when comparing to his usually lofty standards.
His 15-goal Premier League return and late Champions League group stage heroics paint him as the iconic figure he has been throughout his career.
Yet the team's overall lack of success and often-disjointed attack may be attributable in part to his style of play, and his defensive workrate has come into question. Plus, recent off-field incidents have not done any favours to his public perception.
