Alan Shearer says 'sensational' Cristiano Ronaldo 'proved a point' with Manchester United hat-trick

Alan Shearer believes Cristiano Ronaldo 'proved a point' with his hat-trick for Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening.

The Portuguese star's first was a screamer from outside the area, before a close-range effort from a Jadon Sancho cross secured his second. Ronaldo would score the winner with his third, a powerful header from a corner that cancelled out an earlier Harry Maguire own goal.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer praised the forward's performance. He said: "Just simply sensational Gary [Lineker].

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"He apparently had a hip injury last weekend but if he needed to prove a point, which he shouldn't have to, then today was just incredible. The goals were just magnificent.

"His first one, the technique and the way he finds himself the space but Tottenham's defending was terrible - [Eric] Dier has got to close him down - you cannot allow anyone that much time to put their head down and pick a spot. With his [Ronaldo's] ability he can do that.

"You can see still what scoring goals means to him. Too quick, too clever for the Tottenham defence again.

"That one [the second goal] will mean as much to him as the first. Just absolutely fantastic.

"The header for his hat-trick was brilliant, his 59th hat-trick for club and country. It is one thing winning the ball but the way he shoved [Cristian] Romero off that ball, he gets the line of that ball before anyone, then to have the leap, the accuracy and the power to guide it into the corner, it is an incredible talent."

United's victory lifted them back into the Champions League places. However, Arsenal have four games in hand over United and are just two