CRISTIANO RONALDO rescued a weary Man Utd side by scoring a hat-trick in a tight 3-2 win over relegation fodder Norwich.
The 37-year-old scored a first-half brace but the Canaries pulled two back and threatened to get a crucial winner.
Ronaldo stepped up and scored a free-kick, however, to complete his hat-trick and get the win for his side.
- Kick off time: 3pm at Old Trafford
- TV channel/Live stream: This game is not being broadcast or live streamed in the UK because of Uefa’s blackout rules. In the US, subscription members of NBC can stream the game via the NBC Sport website or app.
- Manchester United team news: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles, Pogba, Fernandes, Lingard, Sancho, Elanga, Ronaldo
- Norwich team news: Krul, Byram, Hanley, Gibson, Giannoulis, Normann, McLean, Lees-Melou, Dowell, Rashica, Pukki
Stay up to date with all the latest from Old Trafford in our live blog…
Good things come in threes
Ronaldo scores his 50th club career hat-trick.
Old Trafford’s saving grace.
Manchester Unitedâs Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Norwich City at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, April 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super)Credit: AP Full time – Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
The referee blows his whistle, and Ronaldo has led his side to victory.
Norwich made it very difficult for Ralf Rangnick’s men, threatening an equaliser until the very last minute. Norwich were brave, adventurous, and the better side for large periods of the game. Pukki was immense, picking up great positions, and linking with other players well. But the brilliance of Manchester United’s number 7 keeps their hopes of a top four finish alive.
Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
90+4, Gilmour loses concentration at the vital moment and lets the ball run under him and out for a throw-in. One minute for the home side to hold on.
Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
90+3, Giannoulis takes out Fernandes and United have the opportunity to run down the clock.
Mata then commits a foul, and Norwich can have one lat roll of the dice.
Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
90+2, Manchester United look to keep some possession, but Maguire’s switch of play is too heavy for Ronaldo and out for a Norwich throw-in.
.Credit: EPA Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
90, The board goes up for five added minutes. You can feel the tension inside the stadium.
Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
88, Placheta gets into a great position in the 18-yard-box, but wants to get on to his left. Dalot slides in before the Norwich substitute slips over the ball.
Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
87, United give away a silly foul, and Norwich flood the penalty area.
United get it clear though, and Mata brings them out.
Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
85, Rashford breezes past his man and shapes to shoot, but instead rolls it into Fernandes. McLean was running back to intercept.
Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
84, Norwich waste a good opportunity.
Placheta had options running forward, but couldn’t decide and just kept running, allowing Manchester United to get bodies back.
Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
82, Fernandes drives in field and strikes a fierce effort on goal.
Krul unorthodoxly blocks the effort with his knee, and it’s out for a corner.
Ronaldo is able to bring it down before turning and hitting one, but Norwich get a body in the way.
Manchester United 3-2 Norwich – Norwich change
82, Lees Melou is off, Rowe is on.
Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
80, A lack of communication at the back and Manchester United are almost gifted a fourth.
The ball rolls back to Krul, but he hesitates and Fernandes almost finds Sancho who would have had an open goal if it wasn’t for a timely interception by Gibson.
Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
77, Lees Melou lets fly on the volley. It’s a dipping effort, but won’t trouble De Gea.
Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
That is out of this world.
The 37-year-old fired it through through the wall and in off the post.
On the replays Krul looks to get a hand to it, but the ball has too much pace on it.
Ronaldo has his hat-trick, Manchester United have their lead restored.
.Credit: EPA
GOAL! Manchester United 3-2 Norwich
75, Oh my word!!! Ronaldo has smashed it in off the post from the free kick!
Manchester United 2-2 Norwich
74, Elangala is dragged to the floor, and Manchester United, sorry Ronaldo, has a free kick.
Manchester United 2-2 Norwich – Manchester United substitutions
Pogba and Telles’ games are up, and Mata and Rashford are on to help rescue their team.
Manchester United 2-2 Norwich – Norwich double change
McLean and goalscorer, Dowell are off. Gilmour and Placheta are on in their place.
Manchester United 2-2 Norwich
71, Matic spots Ronaldo on the move and floats it in to him, but the forward can’t bring it under control.
Manchester United 2-2 Norwich
69, Normann plays a precise pass into Rashica who is given space to take a touch and shoot, but Lindelof gets a foot in and it’s out for a corner.
Norwich deliver and Byram was arriving late and attacks the header well, but it’s got far too much pace on it, and flies over the bar.
Manchester United living very dangerously.
Manchester United 2-2 Norwich
67, It is end to end, now.
Dowell gets into a good position but takes a heavy touch. Sancho then drives forward at the other end, but Fernandes is bullied off the ball. Neither side able to cash in at the moment, but you feel a big chance isn’t far away.
Manchester United 2-2 Norwich
65, Matic straight into the action. He plays a speculative ball forward to Ronaldo, but Hanley doesn’t deal with it. Fernandes picks it up and drives int the area, but one touch too many stops him getting a shot away as the ball rolls through for Krul.
Rashica then gets up the other end and curls one in for Pukki on the stretch, but it’s just ahead of him.
Manchester United 2-2 Norwich – Manchester United change
63, Lingard’s night comes to an end, and Matic is on for the home side.
Manchester United 2-2 Norwich
62, Fernandes carelessly plays the ball across the park, and Dowell intercepts. The number 10 spots De Gea off his line and attempts an audacious chip, but it’s got just too much on it.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
