Owen Hargreaves slams Cristiano Ronaldo’s critics after Man Utd star’s hat-trick seals win over Norwich City

Owen Hargreaves has slammed critics of Cristiano Ronaldo after the Manchester United striker’s hat-trick sealed a 3-2 win for the Red Devils against Norwich City on Saturday.

United were 2-0 up inside 32 minutes at Old Trafford after two Ronaldo goals, but two goals from the visitors either side of half-time set up a tense ending to the game.

With 14 minutes to go, the five-time Ballon d’or winner stepped up to take a free-kick, and rifled it past Tim Krul to earn Ralf Rangnick’s side all three points.

The result has seen United make up ground on Tottenham and Arsenal – who both lost their respective matches on Saturday – in the race for the top four.

Ronaldo has faced criticism since his dramatic return to Old Trafford in the summer, but Hargreaves questioned how the 37-year-old could be labelled a ‘problem’ for the Red Devils.

‘I was just laughing to myself when people criticise Cristiano Ronaldo and say he’s the problem,’ ex-United midfielder told Premier League Productions after the match.

‘How on earth is he the problem? He’s one of the only reasons they are where they are.

‘David De Gea has been their player of the season, and Cristiano Ronaldo is a close second. Not many people played well today, but Cristiano did.

‘That game could’ve been anything, but Ronaldo gets the job done we know that. And credit it to him. He just showed he’s huge in big moments.’

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Ronaldo also netted a hat-trick in the 3-2 victory over Tottenham just last month, and Rangnick has praised the forward for his