Nemanja Matic has told Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United critics that they were foolish to doubt someone who has scored more than 800 career goals.
Ronaldo plundered a brilliant hat-trick to help United beat Tottenham 3-2 in a thrilling Premier League game, hauling themselves back in the top-four race.
It came after a run of just one goal in 10 games in 2022 and Ronaldo had missed last week's derby with a recurrence of a hip injury that sidelined him for two games in January.
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That has led to reports of Ronaldo's decline but he delivered the perfect riposte to those doubters with his magnificent hat-trick.
"I think that every day he shows that he’s a great professional, a good example for young players, the things that happen to him he deserves 100%. After more than 800 goals nobody should doubt him," Matic told MUTV.
"He’s 20 years on the top level, 20 years the best player, nobody did that in the history of football."
United were ahead three times in a breathless game and were twice hauled back, but showed the character that was lacking last week to get over the line and get the three points.
"It was an extremely difficult game to play against a very good team, Conte is a fantastic coach, they prepared the game very well, our supporters helped us a lot since the warm-up, it felt like positive energy in the stadium, we fought for each other and the most important is the three points," said Matic.
"It was difficult, all last week was hard for us after the last defeat, it was difficult to lift our heads, we were not in a good mod the first two or three days in training, but we spoke about it, we said we need to fight for our club, to win three points and to start this last part of the season. We did a great job, now we have to recover as soon as possible."
The win was vital for United's hopes of finishing in the top four and Matic felt it was crucial the squad embraced the pressure on them this week.
"It was very important, when you have to win the game it’s not easy, pressure is on you," he said. "But that is why we’re here, it's why Manchester United signed all of us, we have to take responsibility and we have to be there when it’s most important."
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