The hour is coming, Cristiano Ronaldo is coming for the hopeless time this season to save Manchester United.
After 75 minutes, the score was tied and Ralph Rangnik’s team was on the verge of a new capitulation after a two-goal lead. But then Ronaldo broke a 25-yard free kick from Tim Krul’s right post and it was 3-2 – and a second hat-trick on 12 March for the 37-year-old, who already has 15 Premier League goals this season.
Until his intervention, this race was recorded as the last show of the Rangnick group. Today’s topic was poor marking and wrong defensive positioning: both Kieran Dowell and Tiemu Puki took advantage of the amateurish implementation of these basic principles.
Norwich deserved the credit for their 2-0 deficit and the result looked bleak after Everton’s heavy 1-0 defeat, especially amid renewed protests against the Glaser family’s property. But Ronaldo’s top career is built on him writing the story, and after Arsenal lost to Southampton, United are fifth and three points behind Tottenham, who were also defeated on Saturday.
Rangnik gave an honest assessment. “We had to defend ourselves in a smarter way,” said the German. “If you want to defend properly, you have to be physically in this league. You should not allow them to cross our lines so easily. That’s what this team is not doing well enough – we are the only team in the league that defends itself in this way. “
The ugly atmosphere in the stadium, caused by the mood against Glaser, led to the unpleasant moment when the resignation of Paul Pogba inspired some fans to abuse him by chanting three words – two of which were “Pogba” and “off”. Finally, as the Frenchman approached the tunnel, he was mocked, to which he shook his ear in response.
“I can fully understand that the fans were disappointed and disappointed,” said Rangnik. “So do we. I don’t think it makes sense to take on and target an individual or a player. It’s a collective responsibility – that’s why I will always defend and defend my players. “
Teemu Puki scored Norwich’s equalizer against Manchester United. Photo: Paul Curry / Shutterstock
The opening of United came in seven minutes, when they waved to put pressure on a restart from Krul. He knocked the ball to Ben Gibson, who passed it to Dimitris Janulis. The left back brought him back, but Gibson slowed down, was stolen by Anthony Elanga, and when the young man passed to Ronaldo, he returned home. Get the two of them to celebrate Ronaldo’s trademark by jumping and turning to shouts of “siuuu” from jubilant fans cheering on their Portuguese hero.
United’s second came from a corner and was close to a replica of Ronaldo’s late winner against Tottenham, which came from the same brute force and aerial skill shown here. Alex Teles flew around the corner and Ronaldo’s jump was familiar: a caricature of strength and height, when the unfortunate Gibson was bulldozed aside and Krul was defeated again.
This has given United a cushion that will surely allow them to mix passes, move their opponents out of position, score more goals and win a confidence-building victory. Still, by the 52nd minute, they were revealed twice. First, Pukki made one or two with Giannoulis, who drilled holes in the hosts’ defense; the Finn jumped over the crossbar and Doall nodded. This was followed by a change of role: number 10 went beyond Victor Lindelof to Puki, who stepped forward to equalize with a pinball machine in the left beam of David de Gea.
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The question was what could happen to the protesters if the result remained or worsened for United. The choruses “we want Glasers out” and “you’re not fit to wear a shirt” were heard. However, Ronaldo had the last word.
Next is the trip to Liverpool on Tuesday. Rangnik said: “If we play like we did today, it will be very difficult to take even a point from this game.”
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