Cristiano Ronaldo holds Manchester United and loses Arsenal in Southampton

After Tottenham’s slip at home against Brighton earlier in the day (0-1), it was a good opportunity for Manchester United to get close to Tottenham in the race for fourth place, and qualify for the Champions League. An opportunity seized by the Manconianas, carried out by the brilliant Cristiano Ronaldo against Norwich (3-2).

Amid an atmosphere thick with Manchester United fans’ anger towards their management, many were scrutinizing the Portuguese Red Devils captain’s performance. And it does not disappoint. A whistle by part of Old Trafford at the start of the game, “CR7” quickly silenced the critics, scoring two goals in the first half (7, 32) to put his team into orbit. An ideal situation that the Manconians had not exploited for a long time. Dowell before the break (45+1), then Pukki at the start of the second half (52) took advantage of the wait-and-see situation of the MU defense to allow Norwich to advance.

Then Cristiano appeared again, fifteen minutes from the end of time: a direct free kick to score his 60th hat-trick (his 50th at the club) and give Manchester the victory. Success allows Rangnick’s men to return with a three-point lead over Tottenham and the Champions League.

As is often the case this season, Arsenal players will regret their defeat at Southampton (1-0). In a game they clearly dominated, the Saints’ defenders did not worry much (5 shots on goal out of 22 attempts).

And when they succeeded, Arteta’s players found the exceptional Fraser Forster in his goals and the author of several performances. Halfway through the doorman’s display, the Southampton players managed to push in time, breaking Arsenal’s defense before the break from Bednarek (45th place).

And because of his inability to return, Arsenal lost the third consecutive defeat in the tournament and remained behind Tottenham by three points, while Manchester United returned again.