Owen Hargreaves has slammed critics of Cristiano Ronaldo after the striker’s hat-trick sealed a 3-2 win for the Red Devils against Norwich City on Saturday.
United were 2-0 up inside 32 minutes at Old Trafford after a Ronaldo double, but two goals from the visitors either side of half-time set up a tense ending to the game.
With 14 minutes to go, the five-time Ballon D’or winner stepped up to take a free-kick, and drove it past Tim Krul to earn ’s side all three points.
The result has seen United make up ground on Tottenham and – who both lost on Saturday – in the race for the top four.
Ronaldo has faced criticism since his return to Old Trafford in the summer, but Hargreaves questioned how the 37-year-old could be labelled a ‘problem’ for the Red Devils.
‘I was just laughing to myself when people criticise and say he’s the problem,’ the ex-United midfielder told Premier League Productions after the match.
‘How on earth is he the problem? He’s one of the only reasons they are where they are.
‘David de Gea has been their player of the season, and Cristiano Ronaldo is a close second. Not many people played well today, but Cristiano did.
‘That game could’ve been anything, but Ronaldo gets the job done, we know that. And credit it to him. He just showed he’s huge in big moments.’
Ronaldo also netted a hat-trick in the 3-2 victory over Tottenham just last month, and Rangnick has praised the forward for his contributions.
‘It was vital. The 2-0 lead should have made life easier but we didn’t defend well. David de Gea kept us in the game,’ said Rangnick.
‘It was highly important we won the goal but the way we played was not good enough. It is a question of intensity and physicality.
‘Like against Tottenham, Ronaldo was very crucial. They weren’t easy goals, it was just outstanding. It doesn’t make sense to be interested in the other results, we have to take care of our own results.’
, .
,  and .
