Conte won't write off Cristiano Ronaldo as Tottenham take on Man United at Old Trafford

There have been plenty of experts consulted lately about Cristiano Ronaldo’s value and his remaining match-winning capabilities in this, his 21st year as a senior player. A handful, voters for the Ballon d’Or, recognised that he still had enough to rank as the world’s 20th best footballer during 2021/22.

A day before Monday’s ceremony for the award, pundits had been opining on Ronaldo’s ostentatious grumbles at being substituted in the second half of Manchester United’s goalless draw with Newcastle United.

One expert declining to offer a critical view on Ronaldo’s importance for his club is Antonio Conte, who takes Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford Wednesday evening.

“I am the last person who should answer this question,” joked the Spurs manager on being asked about Ronaldo’s current status. “Last season he scored a hat-trick against us! We lost 3-2 to him, not to Manchester United. So, fingers crossed this time.”

Ronaldo’s three goals against Tottenham back in mid-March can look, in the sweep of events since, like the last bulkhead against a tide of personal decline.

The last meeting of the clubs briefly cast the Portuguese as the saviour United believed they had retrieved when he returned to club for a second spell. He gave them the lead with a superb drive from outside the Tottenham penalty area. He restored the lead with a right-place-right-time tap-in. He guaranteed the three points after a second Spurs equaliser with a thumping header.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his and Manchester United's third goal in the 3-2 Premier League win against Tottenham at Old Trafford, AFP

Two matches later, Ronaldo scored another match-winning hat-trick, against Norwich City, part of a sequence of nine league goals in