Ronaldo: Breaking Records, Barriers To Manchester United Top Four Hopes

Manchester United strengthened their faltering top-four bid with a less-than-convincing 3-2 victory over Norwich City even as their match winner, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to break records.

Ronaldo’s second United hat-trick in five league matchdays merely papered over the cracks, on what was a toxic day at Old Trafford with fan unrest at the current regime.

Norwich certainly were not hesitant in coming forward in the opening stages and they had no reason to be after United’s last league loss coming against 17th placed Everton, but Teemu Pukki was wasteful in front of goal. Anthony Elanga robbed Ben Gibson of possession inside the box and set up Cristiano Ronaldo for a tap-in to score the opener.

Not satisfied with just one goal, Ronaldo got a brace with a powerful header from a well-flighted Alex Telles cross. The visitors looked to be out of the contest but found a way back into the game before the break through Kieran Dowell.

Norwich equalised moments into the second half as Teemu Pukki this time got his much deserved goal, as he finished inside the near post from a narrowing angle. Then came Cristiano Ronaldo to break Canaries’ hearts as he completed his hat-trick with a stunning free kick. The Portuguese with his 15th Premier League goal of the season propelling United to 5th place, leapfrogging Arsenal and moving three points within touching distance of a top four spot. Here are key facts and records from the game where Ronaldo emerged as match winner for Manchester United;

• Cristiano Ronaldo’s treble was the fourth Premier League hat-trick scored against Norwich this season – no side has ever shipped more in a single campaign in the competition (also Ipswich 1994-95, Derby 2007-08 and Wigan 2009-10).

• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored the 60th hat-trick of his professional career for club and country (50th at club level), with today’s direct free kick goal the 58th of his career.

• Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 20+ club goals in 16 consecutive seasons in all competitions.

• Teemu Pukki has become the first Norwich player to score 10+ goals in multiple Premier League seasons (11 in 2019-20 and 10 in 2021-22).

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