Cristiano Ronaldo scores free-kick rocket to complete Man Utd hat-trick

  • Kobe Tong
  • By 

Cristiano Ronaldo has just completed a hat-trick of Manchester United hat-tricks.

Just when the Red Devils were labouring more than ever against Norwich City at Old Trafford, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner reminded the world that he’s most certainly not past his sell-by date at 37 years old.

It was Ronaldo who had initially fired United into a 2-0 lead in the Premier League clash, sweeping home a close-range finish before doubling his money with a header from Alex Telles’ corner.

Norwich cause Man Utd problems

However, true to the woeful form of Ralf Rangnick’s men recently, they managed to concede two goals against the division’s basement club and spark chants of ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt’ in the process.

Kieran Dowell had put the Canaries within one goal of their opponents in first-half stoppage time, before Teemu Pukki left the home crowd with their heads in their hands after the break.

In fact, it looked as though Norwich were the team that was more likely to score the fifth goal of the game, threatening David de Gea’s goal to compound the negative atmosphere in Manchester.

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When did Cristiano Ronaldo make his debut for Manchester United?

Ronaldo saves the day with free-kick

But that’s when Ronaldo came in, once again proving himself as football’s greatest ever clutch player by scoring the third hat-trick of his United career in sensational style late on.

That’s because the Portuguese scored just his second free-kick in club football since leaving Real Madrid to send the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ into scenes of delirium with less than 15 minutes left on the clock.

It might not have been a knuckle-ball special of old times, but it was nevertheless a fierce strike that was too hot for Tim Krul to handle – and you’d simply be mad not to check it out down below:

Oh, and did we mention that it was his 50th career hat-trick in club football?

Ronaldo had previously scored three times in one game for United against Newcastle United during his first stint, before repeating the feat during the Tottenham Hotspur win as recently as March.

Ronaldo silences the doubters

Say what you like about United’s decision to re-sign the Portuguese striker last summer, but you can hardly accuse the footballing legend of not producing game-changing moments back in England.

It’s crazy to think that Ronaldo has often been lambasted as the problem behind United’s struggles when you consider that he’s actually been one of the Premier League’s top goalscorers this season.

Yes, he’s had plenty of poor performances too and yes, his hat-trick was only against Norwich City, but you simply can’t say that Ronaldo has wilted in key moments this season and keep a straight face.

Man Utd's Ronaldo celebrates vs Norwich.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United v Norwich City – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – April 16, 2022 Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal with Nemanja Matic REUTERS/Craig Brough EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

So, who knows if he’ll be pulling on the famous red jersey once again for the 2022/23 campaign, but the Old Trafford faithful can at least rest easy knowing that he’s still given them plenty to celebrate even if he doesn’t.

Man Utd 3-2 Norwich Match Reaction (Football Terrace)

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