There was a Swedish meeting in the Premier League on Saturday night when Manchester United hosted Tottenham at Old Trafford. Unlike the 4-1 loss to Manchester City last time out, Ralf Rangnick chose to start with both Victor Nilsson Lindelöf and Anthony Elanga on the bench. United also had to do without Bruno Fernandes due to illness.
– Bruno became ill yesterday. He could not train and he can not play, hopefully he is back on Tuesday (Champions League return against Atlético Madrid) but today he can not play, Rangnick tells MUTV.
At Tottenham, Dejan Kulusevski formed the forward trio with Harry Kane and Heung-min Son. It was the Swede’s sixth straight match from the start in the Spurs shirt.
In front of the home crowd, Manchester United got off to a dream start. Barely a quarter was played when Cristiano Ronaldo got the ball outside the penalty area and fired a shot that found its way into the far cross behind Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal.
Dream goal, the Portuguese’s tenth in the league, and an early 1-0 lead.
– An absolute explosion of brilliance from Cristiano Ronaldo. The power and precision (in the shot) is sensational, says Sky Sports expert Gary Neville.
The goal was also Ronaldo’s 805 national team and club team.
– Incomparable. Cristiano Ronaldo – what a player! says Neville.
Tottenham played up and after just over half an hour, Dejan Kulusevski arranged a penalty. The Swede dribbled past Jadon Sancho on the right wing before hitting a post that took Alex Telle’s hand, after which the referee awarded a penalty. Harry Kane stepped up to the penalty spot and safely placed the equalizer.
However, the situation was short-lived. Just minutes after the goal, Jadon Sancho ran free in deep and played Ronaldo who could easily push in 2-1.
– Very bad (defensive play) from Spurs. Their back line does not sit together, but at the same time it is very well done by Sancho who stayed together at the last pass, says Neville.
806 goals in his career, that is. Thus, Cristiano Ronaldo has broken Josef Bican’s record (805) as the player who has scored the most competitive goals ever.
– It was a low-key start from both teams, but wow, brilliant by Ronaldo. When he is on the pitch, United have a chance. Spurs need to do better, but Ronaldo has been brilliant, says Sky Sports expert Roy Keane.
Tottenham chased an equalizer in the second half, but United managed to secure their goal for a long time. With just over 20 minutes left to play, Anthony Elanga was substituted on the pitch, and shortly afterwards the guests received a dividend.
Sergio Reguilon unleashed a swerving effort from the right that the visitors’ keeper did well to tip wide.
– The misery continues for Harry Maguire. Antonio Conte shouts “focus” (to his players) because he knows United are down for the count. The last quarter has been miserable for United, says Neville.
However, this was Cristiano Ronaldo’s night. Shortly after the setback goal, the Portuguese reached the top of a corner and was able to nod in 3-2, which was also the end result.
– He is absolutely incredible – the best goal scorer of all time. He is a player who is so skilled, so talented but who nods like an old-fashioned center-forward, says Gary Neville.
The victory means that Manchester United now rises to fourth place in the Premier League, however, with four more matches played than Arsenal.
Startelvor:
Manchester United: De Gea – Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Telles – Pogba, Matic, Fred – Rashford, Ronaldo, Sancho.
Tottenham: Lloris – Romero, Dier, Davies – Doherty, Bentancur, Højbjerg, Reguilon – Kulusevski, Kane, Son.
Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Josef Bican’s record for the most goals in competitive matches in football history 🐐 pic.twitter.com/E8NWuSR5eZ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 12, 2022
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