Cristiano Ronaldo saves Manchester United again as fans make their feelings clear to Paul Pogba

The protesting Manchester United supporters had warned the players they were also in their cross-hairs. Against Norwich, they targeted them explicitly: "You're not fit to wear the shirt." But Cristiano Ronaldo is.

So often regarded as the source of United's problems, Ronaldo is usually the solution. His second hat-trick of the season detoxified one of the most poisonous atmospheres Old Trafford has hosted in living memory.

No sooner had some ceased telling Paul Pogba to 'f--k off' that they were jumping for joy at Ronaldo's free-kick that clutched victory from the jaws of defeat. In a campaign where he has turned 37, Ronaldo has plundered 21 goals and two hat-tricks in his first season back in England for 12 years.

Read more: United player ratings vs Norwich as Ronaldo brilliant

Some joyless pseudo-intellectuals will continue to depict Ronaldo as the villain of the piece. All of a sudden, he may be the hero. Surreally, United are three points off the final Champions League qualifying place in the Premier League.

Few will be sidetracked by a needlessly gritty win against the league's basement club. At 2-2, Norwich were the dominant side and an apocalyptic evening at Anfield is possible on Tuesday and then it is Arsenal away for United on Saturday.

For thousands of United fans, the end-goal is not Champions League football but removing the owners. As far as the team is concerned, "You're not fit to wear the shirt" marks a watershed moment. Bruno Fernandes has got worse since his unnecessary salary hike yet remains untouchable.

That chant has not been aired at Old Trafford towards the United players in a lifetime. Some railed against it with the loyal 'we'll support you ever more' and then Pogba's number was up in the