The Norwich analysts sat near us are emotionless. They know there is nothing they can do to salvage the situation. Norwich are as bad as the table suggests and it was mildly embarrassing United were second-best against them in October.
Dalot clips a ball towards Ronaldo who attempts an overhead kick volley but blasts it well over the goal. Who can blame him for trying? There was also a fantastic touch from Elanga in the build-up as he plucked the ball out of the air under pressure.
A nice touch as the United fans serenade Phil Jones while he warms-up. He is another player who has to leave at the end of the season, but match-going supporters still respect what he has done for the club. Norwich get themselves into a 3 on 2 attacking situation as Lee-Melou bares down on goal but with options to his left and right he holds onto the ball too long and allows Lindelof to come across and snuff out the danger.
Which pseudo-intellectual, joyless expected-goals lover will argue Ronaldo is still a problem at United? He was always going to be a success back at the club and 20 goals – all of them in the Premier League and Champions League – for a forward who has turned 37 this season in his first campaign back in England for 12 years is a success.
Cristiano Ronaldo will decide if he wants to be at United next season but if you’re Ten Hag, you should be looking to keep him. Lingard wins a corner after Krull saves well from his close-range effort but Ronaldo rises well to meet Telles’ cross and heads into the net.
Manchester United were in cruise control until the final five minutes when Norwich came alive and caught them out with a goal that should have been defended better.
3rd Goal:
Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his 810th Career Goal & 60TH CAREER HAT TRICK! ?♥️
Clutch. #CR7? pic.twitter.com/ZZW3IVxVqE
— CR7 ?? (@CR_Bestever) April 16, 2022
1st Goal:
All 3 of Cristiano Ronaldo goals for Manchester United vs Norwich #MUNNOR pic.twitter.com/SH9g48edyj
— D9INE (@D9INE_GOAL_) April 16, 2022
2nd Goal: