Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick breaks goal-scoring record in Manchester United's 3-2 defeat of Tottenham

Cristiano Ronaldo answered all the questions about his continuing value to Manchester United with a superb hat-trick to secure a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in an entertaining Premier League contest on Saturday.

Just six days after doubts were raised about his injury absence for the Manchester derby and at the end of a week marked by tabloid speculation over his relationship with interim manager Ralf Rangnick, the 37-year-old delivered a reminder of just why United chose to bring him back to Old Trafford.

The five-times Ballon d'Or winner headed the winner nine minutes from time before he was promptly taken off to ecstatic cheers. It was the 807th goal of his career, laying claim to professional men's football's all-time leading scorer record.

With the whole stadium chanting 'Viva Ronaldo', the atmosphere at Old Trafford, which has endured a disappointing season, was back to the heady days of September when the forward scored twice against Newcastle United on his return to the club.

His goal-scoring feats began at Sporting Lisbon before moving on to Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He has also represented the senior Portuguese national team since 2003.

While historical records are difficult to verify, world governing body FIFA estimates that Austro-Czech player Josef Bican scored 805 goals between 1931 and 1955.

The result moves United two points above Arsenal and back into fourth place, although the Gunners have four games in hand starting with Sunday's home match against Leicester City.

Pundits like former United captain Roy Keane had questioned whether Ronaldo truly was injured for the 4-1 loss to Premier League leaders City while his decision to fly back to Portugal for his rehab also raised questions.

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