Former centre-back Rio Ferdinand has rubbished suggestions that Manchester United perform better when Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing.
The Portuguese star hit back at his recent critics in the best possible manner by scoring a hat-trick to help United seal a huge 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening. After seeing his first two goals cancelled out by Spurs equalisers, the second of which came via a Harry Maguire own goal, Ronaldo headed home Alex Telles' corner nine minutes from time to seal his hat-trick and wrap up all three points.
Considering he had been heavily criticised for travelling to Portugal as United lost 4-1 to arch-rivals Manchester City last weekend, it was the perfect response from the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. Although the goals have not been flowing as regularly as he would have liked in recent weeks, he is United's leading marksman this term with 18 goals to his name in all competitions.
