Cristiano Ronaldo sends Manchester United teammates message ahead of Liverpool showdown

Cristiano Ronaldo has shared a defiant message with his Manchester United teammates after reviving their dwindling top-four hopes. Ronaldo netted a devastating hat-trick against Norwich City as United took full advantage of their Champions League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham losing on Saturday afternoon.

At the close of play, only three points separate those hopefuls. Next up for Ronaldo and United is a daunting trip to Anfield on Tuesday night (8pm). Not only are Liverpool battling for the Premier League crown this season, they also inflicted a humiliating 5-0 defeat on their bitter rivals earlier in the campaign.

It was an alarming result that contributed to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer losing his job. In gunning down Championship-bound Norwich, meanwhile, Ronaldo scored his 60th career treble - his second in five weeks.

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However, with a crunch showdown against Liverpool on the horizon, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner insists this is no time to dwell on personal achievements - although United did need Ronaldo to save them, yet again, as he took his Premier League goals tally to 15 for the season. That's more than Harry Kane.

Addressing his 426million followers on Instagram, the Portuguese superstar said: "Very happy with this win and for getting us back on track in the Premier League. Like I've said before, individual achievements are only worth it when they help us reach our goals as a team.

"The 60th hat-trick in my career is so much more important because it brought us the three points. Well done, lads, tremendous effort from everyone. We're not giving up, we're fighting until the end."

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