Cristiano Ronaldo nets hat-trick as Manchester United beat Tottenham in thriller

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning hat-trick to earn Manchester United to a crucial 3-2 victory in a thrilling Premier League showdown against Tottenham.

Coach Ralf Rangnick admitted it was a must-win match for his side and United did not disappoint as Ronaldo returned from injury with a bang, striking home superbly from 25 yards and adding another after Harry Kane had levelled from the spot.

The hosts were looking at an unwanted draw following Harry Maguire’s own goal, only for the 37-year-old Portuguese striker to rise highest to head home a corner and send Old Trafford crazy.

There was a roar at the end of a match that was played in frantic fashion from the outset.

Ronaldo saw penalty appeals rejected when an early shot struck Eric Dier’s hand, but soon he would be celebrating a spectacular opener.

Fred smartly flicked a Raphael Varane pass on in what had been a patient attack until the veteran collected the ball and arrowed a stunning 25-yard strike beyond Hugo Lloris in the 12th minute.

Old Trafford was rocking and Paul Pogba sent a curling effort skipping just wide of Spurs’ goal as they pushed for a quickfire second.

Play was not one-sided, though. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg sent a shot down David De Gea’s throat and the offside flag saved United when Son Heung-min put Ben Davies through to score at the end of a fine, flowing move.

Play was to-ing and fro-ing as Ronaldo glanced a header wide before Diogo Dalot cleared Dier’s headed attempt from a corner off the line.

Spurs’ pressure bore fruit as half-time approached, with impressive January acquisition Dejan Kulusevski cutting past Jadon Sancho and firing over a cross that Alex Telles handled.

Referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot and Kane struck the penalty beyond De