Ronaldo hat-trick sets all-time scoring record as Utd beat Spurs

Cristiano Ronaldo set another goal-scoring record in a return to form with a hat-trick to keep Manchester United’s chances of playing in the Champions League next season alive with a 3-2 win over Tottenham on Saturday.

Ronaldo had scored just once in his previous 10 games, but three fantastic finishes took him clear as the highest scorer in professional men’s football history surpassing Austria-Czech striker Josef Bican’s 805 goals, according to FIFA’s records with 807 goals for club and country.

The victory lifts United back into fourth, although they are just two points ahead of Arsenal who have four games in hand.

A fifth defeat in eight league games is another blow to Tottenham’s hopes of a top-four finish as they remain seventh, now five points behind United.

Ronaldo’s second spell at Old Trafford has so far proven to be an anti-climax with his poor form sparking debate over whether the 37-year-old’s powers are waning.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner missed United’s thrashing in the Manchester derby last weekend and was criticized for a perceived lack of commitment as he jetted off to Portugal to rehab a hip injury rather than watch his teammates lose 4-1 at the Etihad.

ARR