Watch: Ronaldo claims all-time goalscoring record as Man Utd down Tottenham
Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo returned to form in scintillating fashion on Saturday as he netted all three of his side's goals to take down Tottenham.
The Portugal captain opened the scoring with a fine effort from range, and added another in the first half after Harry Kane equalised from the penalty spot. Then, just when Spurs thought they might return from Old Trafford with a point, Ronaldo's trademark towering header brought up his hat-trick to seal a 3-2 win for the hosts.
Ronaldo's goals moved him to 807 all-time - two more than estimated record-holder Josef Bican, who is said to have netted 805 goals (exact figures for prior eras are subject of debate).
Watch Ronaldo's stunning hat-trick (UK and US only)
Pick that one out! 🎯
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 12, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo unleashes an absolute thunderbolt to give #MUFC the lead! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/3EEm3fjq0T
RONALDO WITH THE ABSLUTE SCREAMER! #MyPLMorning | #MUNTOT pic.twitter.com/e35tYinYsg
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 12, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't miss those! ❌
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 12, 2022
He taps in Sancho's cross to restore #MUFC's lead! pic.twitter.com/rzNKh1FRXz
Here's Ronaldo's goal which made it 2-1 Manchester United.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 12, 2022
This is career goal 806 for Ronaldo which breaks the record for most goals ever in competitive matches.
💻: @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #MUNTOT pic.twitter.com/JxenYul4it
🔥 HIS SECOND-EVER MAN UTD HAT-TRICK 🔥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 12, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo grabs his THIRD of the day as Man Utd lead Spurs 3-2! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/emuFOFmLg1
Here is Ronaldo's goal for the hat trick! #MyPLMorning | #MUNTOT pic.twitter.com/8F3XMWwk0u
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 12, 2022
Still golden
Saturday's hat-trick was Ronaldo's first since returning to United at the start of the 2021-22 season, and the 49th overall in his glittering career.
It was also Ronaldo's first Premier League hat-trick in 14 years and 59 days, the longest gap between trebles in the competition’s history.
And at 37 years and 35 days of age, he also became the second-oldest player in Premier League history to hit three times in a single match, behind ex-Tottenham and United favourite Teddy Sheringham.