Manchester United 3-2 Norwich City: Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick rekindles Champions League hopes

Cristiano Ronaldo's 50th hat-trick in club football lifted Manchester United to a 3-2 victory over Norwich City at Old Trafford. The Portuguese star, who is apparently not in the plans of prospective new boss Erik ten Hag, netted twice in the first half to give United a lead and then blasted a free kick home after the Premier League's bottom club had levelled the score at two-apiece.

Ad/> An error from Ben Gibson allowed Anthony Elanga to set up a tap-in for the United striker with seven minutes on the clock and just after the half-hour mark he headed home Alex Telles' corner. Football'I'd do it again' — Rangnick has no regrets over taking United job6 HOURS AGO Norwich would not give in though and Teemu Pukki crossed for Kieran Dowell to head home on the stroke of half time, before scoring himself when played through by Mathias Normann seven minutes after the restart.

Ronaldo had the last word though, smashing home from 25 yards to bring United within three points of Tottenham Hotspur in fourth place. Norwich remain at the foot of the table seven points from safety.

Premier League table Premier League fixtures / results Premier League top scorers TALKING POINT Kamikaze tactics expose United's weakness — The unseasonal sun in Manchester gave the feel of an end of season game which was only added to by the team selected by Ralf Rangnick. With four forwards playing in front of Paul Pogba, selected as a holding midfielder, it was no surprise Norwich found possession in the United half easy to come by and were able to put United under threat.

For much of the game it looked to be coming down to who wanted the win more and it appeared this was Dean Smith's side. They were full value to be level in the second half and only a