A record day for Cristiano Ronaldo sees Manchester United break out of their funk. The Portuguese striker scored a hat trick to become the FIFA record holder for goals in competitive matches with 807, passing Josef Bican. Whether he needed rest in Portugal or to actually recover from an injury won't matter as Ronaldo played his best match of the season for Manchester United at a critical time with an upcoming clash with Atletico Madrid coming as they look to advance in Champions League play.
WIth no Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay, or Luke Shaw, Ronaldo's big day was needed at Old Trafford.
Antonio Conte's Spurs had their chances as shown by their xG of 1.43 to Manchester United's of .93 but they weren't able to execute. Things looked good heading up the pitch but in the final third continuous breakdowns by Son Heung-Min and Sergio Reguilon would cost them. Even Harry Kane wasn't at his creative best with only a 58.3 pass completion percentage in the final third as Raphel Varane essentially marked him out of the match.
Ronaldo's first goal was quite the strike from outside the box as he was flicked the ball from Fred and unleashed a laser.
It's one of those goals that you can't do anything about but Spurs would find their equalizer. Dejan Kulusevski used a bit of individual brilliance to beat Jadon Sancho on the dribble before crossing the ball into the box where it hit the hand of Alex Telles. Harry Kane wouldn't miss the ensuing penalty but Manchester United wouldn't let it sit level for long.
Ronaldo got another, this time from a team goal as Nemanja Matic hit the ball over the top to play in Sancho who is finding his way with the Red Devils after a rough start to the season. He crossed it into the box for Ronaldo to have the easiest finish that he could ask for on his record breaking goal. This would take it to the half with United having the 2-1 advantage due to superior execution.
Anthony Elanga came into the match in the 68th minute to replace Marcus Rashford. Elanga would give United a more dynamic presence going forward as only David De Gea (29) had fewer touches than Rashford's 30 among starters. But Spurs would get an equalizer when a cross from Reguilon was turned into the net by Harry Maguire for an own goal in the 72nd minute. Trying to stop Cristian Romero from knocking it into the net, Maguire scored the most unfortunate of goals -- Spurs' ninth own goal of the season which is good for their third leading scorer.
It was a solid match for Maguire but that's a moment that will be remembered. Ultimately it won't matter as Ronaldo's third goal was a signature header where he rose above everyone in the 81st minute to knock Alex Telles' corner into the net and ensure that Spurs would travel home with something to think about before their game in hand against Brighton midweek.
Son has been one of Spur's best players on the season but he looked lost on the day. While it's too early to worry that it's a larger issue, Son only having one shot in the first half is concerning given how much the team was getting forward. Too much of his play was recycling the ball back to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg because an attacker couldn't get free which is why the midfielder had double the touches of anyone in the attacking trio or Matt Doherty.
Some of this is down to United's defensive approach but with Reguilon getting so much space up against Diogo Dalot, it's inexcusable for Son to go missing in the way that he did. Points are going to be hard to come by for Tottenham moving forward if this kind of play continues.
While Shaw has been out, Telles has had a good run, and although today's match was a roller coaster with him giving away a penalty and assisting a goal. His two chances created only trailed Fred and Sancho for Manchester United. He also advanced the ball up the field with two take on's completed and put in six crosses. When the ball comes to Telles you can be sure somthing is going to happen even if you're not sure exactly what.
He didn't sacrifice defense for it either, winning two tackles and making eight ball recoveries as well. Telles doesn't shoot as much as Shaw but that's not a bad thing as he's more likely to stick to the left side of the pitch helping the team keep their shape. It'll be interesting to see what happens when Shaw returns but Rangnick will find it hard to bench Telles at the moment.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United: The best player on either side of the pitch Ronaldo completed the most passes in the final third for United, scored three goals, and put a total of five shots on target from seven attempts. Rating: 10
Marcus Rashford, Manchester United: You'd be forgiven for thinking that Rashford wasn't on the pitch today as he did almost nothing over 68 minutes with no shots, no chances created, and only 17 attempted total passes. As rumors over his future swirl, you have to wonder if the injuries over the past few years are catching up to Rashford. Rating: 3
Nemanja Matic, Manchester United: Always a reliable plug and play guy for United, Matic did it all winning three tackles, having three interceptions, six recoveries, and laying on a through ball that created a goal. Rating: 8
Son Heung-Min, Tottenham: While slips aren't an official stat, Son seemed off on the day losing his footing twice in critical moments and taking too long to shoot or play the final pass. While he looked better when Lucas Moura came on the pitch, Spurs need Son at his best at every chance possible. Rating: 4
Ben Davies, Tottenham: While Davies didn't have much to do on the defensive end thanks to how adventurous Eric Dier and Romero were stepping out to close down opposition, some of the passes that he was threading from the left center back spot deserved better finishes from his teammates. He allowed Reguilon to be Spurs' most forward attacker but because of Son's struggles, Davies' day didn't hit the highs that it should. Rating: 7
Cristian Romero, Tottenham: Winning a game-high five tackles, Romero's adventurousness showed during the match. He should've done better on Ronaldo's winner but given how good Ronaldo's movement is, that's easier said than done. Midfield, defense, and attack, Romero did it all. Rating: 6
Not sure if he needs new cleats but his execution on the day has been putrid. Spurs have a free kick as they push for another equalizer but Harry Kane will be looked at after Paul Pogba's yellow card challenge.
Always the most dangerous option on corners, Ronaldo rises above the fray to put Telles' delivery into the net. He loses his marker and finishes over Matt Doherty for the goal to put United ahead 3-2. There's an epic finish incoming but Ronaldo will be heading off as Victor Lindelof comes on to protect the lead.
Hugo Lloris was forced into a good save but Ronaldo is floating into space so easily on the day. He rips off another shot and will look to get his hat trick before the match is out.
It's 2-2 as Sergio Reguilon's cross is turned in by Harry Maguire who tries to clear the ball and stop it from getting to Cristian Romero but turns it into his own net. He was having a solid game in central defense but there wasn't much that he could do there.
Another long range attempt as Tottenham are leaving far too much space for United to run into. The Red Devils haven't made them pay yet but with Anthony Elanga entering for Marcus Rashford, that could change.
Usually as reliable as they come, could we see Son exit the game to improve Spurs' attacking play? Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura are options on the bench.
Played in well by Kulusevski, Son would've thought that he had the opener but he fires wide right. In the attacking third, Spurs continue to struggle today but with 30 minutes left, there's time to pull things out.
It took a foul to get it done but things are getting less organized early in the second half. Son's set play delivery isn't a great one as Spurs have lacked execution so far today. Cavani gets ready to come on for Manchester United as Rashford is struggling.
Flying into tackles and more crosses into the box. It's clear what Antonio Conte wanted after his halftime team talk.
Tottenham are winning the xG battle 1.35 to .65 but not the one where it matters on the scoreboard as they trail 2-1.
Ronaldo has the FIFA world record for goals scored for club and country with 806 and his side leads 2-1 after an end-to-end half. Sergio Reguilon will have a lot of thinking to do at the half as him playing Jadon Sancho onside is the reason why Spurs are down instead of level but Conte will want his team to take their chances quicker. Space is there to exploit but they're playing one pass too many instead of shooting. More of that in the second half as it sure was exciting!
It's his longest-range finish since June 30, 2020 against Genoa.
United are back in front after Matic dinks a ball over the top to Sancho. Played onside by Sergio Reguilon, Sancho crosses to Ronaldo from close range and he's lethal from there. The most goals for club and country now belongs to Ronaldo.
Kulusevski blows by Jadon Sancho and his cross hits the hand of Alex Telles. Automatic as they come, Harry Kane nails it home from the spot and we're level 35 minutes in.
Kulusevski tees up Bentancur but they're unable to turn things into a goal. But after Son is having run of the left hand side, Kulusevski is getting into space on the right. Manchester United hasn't been able to get a foot on the ball as of late. Spurs earn a free kick from just outside the area.
Following a corner, Dier headed it in but Diogo Dalot was there to head it off the line! Tottenham are knocking.
Manchester United has the slight edge on shots but everything else is level. Spurs have a slight advantage in possession but haven't been clinical enough in the final third to make it count for anything. They'll want to keep pressing as there are goals to be had in this match.
Son has been indecisive so far but he plays in Davies well. Son is in a lot of space early on if he decides to start shooting as well.
After Ronaldo's strike Paul Pogba tries another shot from outside the box. It's clear that if United has space to shoot they're going to let fly from distance today.
His 805th goal for club and country is a big one as it puts United ahead 1-0. Fred flicks the ball to Ronaldo who fires an almost unstoppable finish from outside the box. That's one way to break your scoring drought in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
United claims for a hand ball by Spurs in defense but they were able to clear the danger. You won't want to give Ronaldo too much space in dangerous areas even with his scoring drought though.
Ben Davies laces a ball up the sideline to Son and while Spurs weren't able to make it count, these are the types of breaks from wide areas the Manchester United fullbacks need to be wary of this. Based on how Spurs are finishing right now, give them more of those and United will be behind sooner than later.
Probing wide areas, the Red Devils look to find a hole in Tottenham's defense but it's to no avail. Spurs try to get the counter going quickly and I suspect that this is what most of the match will look like.
Can Tom Brady cheer Manchester United to victory?
Starters: Hugo Lloris, Ben Davies, Eric Dier, Cristian Romero, Sergio Reguilon, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Betancur, Matt Doherty, Heung-Min Son, Dejan Kulusevski, Harry Kane
Reserves: Davidson Sanchez, Harry Winks, Emerson Royal, Joe Rodon, Pierluigi Gollini, Steven Bergwijn, Lucas Moura, Harvey White, Dane Scarlett
Only one enforced change for Antonio Conte as Ryan Sessegnon misses out with a hamstring injury. Outside of that, Tottenham has their full strength squad available and will hope that the goal scoring run continues in this matchup. Harry Kane will get most of the attention but don't take your eyes off of the fullbacks as they can be game-breakers with how Manchester United tends to allow chances from wide areas.
Starters: David De Gea, Diogo Dalot, Raphel Varane, Harry Maguire, Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, Fred, Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba, Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo
Reserves: Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Dean Henderson, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Anthony Elanga
Scott McTominay misses out with a calf injury and Luke Shaw has still not recovered to take a place in the squad. It's unknown why Bruno Fernandes is out on the day but missing the Premier League leader in chances created will be quite a blow for Ralf Rangnick. This is quite a few changes as Rangnick tries to create from wide areas crossing into an Antonio Conte back three.
Diogo Dalot, Nemanja Matic, Marcus Rashford, and Cristiano Ronaldo join the staters. No Bruno Fernandes in the squad is a surprise!
There could be shake-ups incoming from the Manchester United end of things.
