Cristiano Ronaldo rolled back the years with a brilliant hat-trick for Manchester United in their 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, becoming the highest goalscorer in the history of football in the process.
After missing out on their Manchester derby humbling last week due to injury, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the Red Devils’ starting line-up against Tottenham Hotspur. The 37-year-old was on the scoresheet in the reverse fixture as they won 3-0 in London.
Cristiano Ronaldo wasted no time in announcing his return to action with a well-taken goal in the 12th minute of the match. The Portuguese forward got on the end of a delightful flick from Fred before unleashing a brilliant shot from 25 yards that arrowed into the top corner of Hugo Lloris’ goal.
Both sides continued to sound each other out until Tottenham were gifted a way back into the game. A cross from Dejan Kulusevski was handled by Alex Telles, and Harry Kane stepped up to dispatch the resulting penalty for his 11th league goal.
Almost immediately, Cristiano Ronaldo restored Manchester United’s advantage from close range after a brilliant low cross from the in-form Jadon Sancho in the 38th minute. The goal took him above Josef Bican in the all-time goalscoring charts officially recognised by FIFA.
Tottenham were once again gifted an equaliser in fortuitous circumstances in the 72nd minute as Manchester United captain Harry Maguire sliced a cross from Sergio Reguilon into his own net in an attempt stop the cross.
With the match seemingly destined to end in a draw, Cristiano Ronaldo popped up to seal a crucial three points for Manchester United in their quest for Champions League football. The 37-year-old scored his 807th career goal with a brilliant header as he connected with a corner from Alex Telles in the 81st minute to put the game to bed.
Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored more goals than any other player in football history with his 807 goals already greater than the official tally of 805 goals associated with Czech great Josef Bican. His goals in the game have taken Manchester United momentarily to fourth place, two points above Arsenal who have four games in hand.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 59th career hat-trick and only his second in the Premier League. He will now turn his attention to Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Atletico Madrid.
