Cristiano Ronaldo announced himself back in the Manchester United starting XI with an inspirational hat trick in their 3-2 Premier League win over rivals Tottenham.
Ronaldo found himself at the centre of both the pre game chat as Ralf Rangnick brought him back into the team against Antonio Conte’s visitors.
The Portuguese superstar responded in trademark style, bringing his overall personal goal tally to 807, as the outright top goal scorer in men’s football history.
Despite a string of star names on the pitch for sides, it was Ronaldo who ran the game from the off, as he crashed home a superb 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.
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.
But there was still time for one more twist, as Ronaldo escaped his marker from Alex Telles’ corner, to head home a dramatic winner.
MORE: How Tottenham beat Manchester United to Antonio Conte
Man United vs. Tottenham final score
1H | 2H | Final | |
Man U | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Spurs | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Goals: UTD – Ronaldo (Fred) – 13th Min, TOT – Kane (Pen) – 36th Min, UTD – Ronaldo (Sancho) – 39th Min, TOT – Maguire (O.G.) – 72nd Min, UTD – Ronaldo (Telles) – 83rd Min
(All times Eastern)
Man United vs. Tottenham as-it-happened
FT – 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.
Cristiano Ronaldo. That’s it, that’s the tweet. #MUFC | #MUNTOT
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 12, 2022
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.
…let’s say Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t seem to play or act like a player who’s desperate to leave as soon as possible. Incredible mentality and approach, again. 🔴 #MUFC
He’s still the man for United in this complicated moment. Top performance. pic.twitter.com/b8GTS4jrcw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 12, 2022
83rd Min: RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AGAIN………HIS 59TH CAREER HAT TRICK
Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored a hat-trick at club level in each of the last 13 calendar years:
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022Another year, another hatty. pic.twitter.com/JkxASGr04S
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 12, 2022
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!!!
Harry Maguire has now scored as many Premier League goals against Man Utd at Old Trafford (1) as he has for them.
It’s the first own goal of his PL career. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/6a51xCym6i
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 12, 2022
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?
45th Min: HALF TIME – 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!
Two GOATS at Old Trafford today 🐐 @TomBrady @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/shPOa4v0Vr
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 12, 2022
39th Min: RONALDOOOOOOOOO AGAIN!!!!
Here’s Ronaldo’s goal which made it 2-1 Manchester United.
This is career goal 806 for Ronaldo which breaks the record for most goals ever in competitive matches.
💻: @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #MUNTOT pic.twitter.com/JxenYul4it
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 12, 2022
Jadon Sancho burst into a gap in behind the Spurs defence and squares across the box for Ronaldo to tuck past Lloris.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro has now scored 806 goals across all competitions for club & country.pic.twitter.com/Gdw4Smiyqb
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 12, 2022
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
805 GOALS FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DrrBLJJWBg
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 12, 2022
AN ABSOLUTE WONDER STRIKE FROM CRISTIANO RONALDO!!!!
It’s what he does 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/7og2MknNKl
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 12, 2022
Fred flicks the ball off to him on the edge of the box and Ronaldo HAMMERS an unstoppable strike beyond Hugo Lloris!!!
RONALDO WITH THE ABSLUTE SCREAMER! #MyPLMorning | #MUNTOT pic.twitter.com/e35tYinYsg
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 12, 2022
12th Min: A surprise face at Old Trafford
Here we go! @Cristiano vs. @HKane. I might fist pump if you score Harry but I’m riding with @ManUtd today. pic.twitter.com/ybgHozzSBm
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 12, 2022
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.
A highly intense start to proceedings in the #PL 📶#MUFC | #MUNTOT pic.twitter.com/iZtoR3y1h1
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 12, 2022
12:30 a.m.: WE ARE UNDERWAY AT OLD TRAFFORD
12:15 a.m.: Spurs gearing up for a crucial night at Old Trafford
Not long to go! ⏳
🧐 How are we feeling ahead of #MUNTOT? pic.twitter.com/a3netalqvs
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 12, 2022
12:07 a.m.: Rangnick has revealed the reasons behind his sweeping changes against Spurs
💬 Ralf talks us through his team selection and more ahead of #MUNTOT… #MUFC | #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 12, 2022
11:42 a.m.: KANE – KULU – SON START AT OLD TRAFFORD
Spurs boss Antonio Conte makes just on change to his starting XI with Sergio Reguilon in for the injured Ryan Sessegnon.
Your team to face Manchester United. ✊ pic.twitter.com/Oox3Y4OXQj
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 12, 2022
11:40 a.m.: FIVE CHANGES FOR UNITED
United boss Ralf Rangnick rotates his options with five changes to his starting XI for tonight’s Premier League home clash with Tottenham.
Diogo Dalot and Raphael Varane come into the defence in place of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof with Nemanja Matic replacing Scott McTominay in midfield.
🔴 𝐔 𝐍 𝐈 𝐓 𝐄 𝐃 🔴
Introducing your Reds to face Tottenham ✊#MUFC | #MUNTOT
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 12, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford are also recalled in favour of Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Elanga.
11:17 a.m.: The scene is set for a HUGE CLASH at Old Trafford
𝑺𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍 🏟️✨#MUFC | #MUNTOT
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 12, 2022
11:00 a.m.: No better way to warm up for the marquee matchup than with a few of the better goals this series has seen.
When @ManUtd host @SpursOfficial, we’re usually treated to great goals 🤩#MUNTOT pic.twitter.com/67FBVOVApg
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 12, 2022
Five of our best against @ManUtd…
🖐 @HSBC_Sport pic.twitter.com/hmbzs5otQt
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 12, 2022
A classic Dimitar Berbatov finish against Spurs 👌⚽️#MUFC | #GoalOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/2h7CE0N1tY
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 10, 2022
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
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism