Cristiano Ronaldo saved Manchester United with a stunning hat-trick against Norwich City, but even he might not be able to prevent them from being 'hammered' by arch-rivals Liverpool. That's the verdict from Ian Wright after he watched Ronaldo drag United right back into the top-four mix.
The 37-year-old opened the scoring inside seven minutes and made it 2-0 before rock-bottom Norwich staged an initial comeback at Old Trafford. They equalised shortly after half-time through Teemu Pukki.
Of course, that man Ronaldo went on to conjure up some trademark late heroics as he completed his hat-trick and sealed all three points with a swerving free-kick. It took his tally to 15 in the Premier League this season. Next up for United is a daunting trip to Anfield to take on a Liverpool side who remain in the title race. Jurgen Klopp's side served up a 5-0 demolition job when they collided in the corresponding fixture at Old Trafford in October.
READ MORE: Ralf Rangnick provides Raphael Varane injury update ahead of Liverpool showdown
Speaking to Premier League Productions, pundit Wright said: "If he [Ronaldo] wasn't at Manchester United they would be nowhere near where they are now. That's what you pay for and he's delivered. He's amazing."
Wright added: "We're talking about a team at the bottom of the league [Norwich] and they gave United two goals, literally - and they were still able to open United up. If they play like that against Liverpool then United are going to get absolutely hammered."
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.