Cristiano Ronaldo Rounds Off Hat-Trick With First Free Kick Goal Since July 2020

Cristiano Ronaldo turned back the clock with his first free kick goal since returning to Manchester United, and his first since July 2020.

Ronaldo has scored 55 goals from direct free kicks throughout his career, but the United forward has been lacking in the strikes in recent years.

On Saturday afternoon he scored just his second such goal since leaving Real Madrid in 2018, when he blasted a set piece past Tim Krul.

As well as being his first such goal back in United colours, since rejoining last summer, it also rounded off a hat-trick for the 37-year-old, his second of the year after doing the same against Tottenham Hotspur.

After Tottenham Hotspur had lost to Brighton earlier in the day, Ralf Rangnick's side knew that a win against bottom of the table Norwich would give them a huge boost in the race for the top four.

They took an early lead thanks to some poor play from the visitors, as Ben Gibson dallied on the ball and Anthony Elanga dispossessed him and squared it for Ronaldo to strike home.

The second came just after the half our mark, as the former Juventus man managed to rise above everyone else to head home from Alex Telles corner.

However United have shown time and time again this season that they can't be trusted to win easily, and once again they managed to make a mess of things.

Kieran Dowell pulled one back in injury time at the end of the first half when he rose to head in Teemu Pukki's cross at the back post.

Pukki then made it 2-2 seven minutes after half time, this time Dowell returning the favour by splitting the United defence with his pass and the Finnish striker beat David de Gea with his shot.

Paul Pogba was booed off the pitch when Rangnick substituted him off, as United went looking for a much needed win and then Ronaldo came up with the goods.

There was more good news for the Old Trafford side, as Arsenal lost to Southampton, meaning United leapt above the Gunners ahead of facing them next week.