In a captivating clash at the Etihad Stadium, Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name into Manchester United folklore once again, delivering a sensational hat-trick to lead his side to a stunning 3-2 victory over Manchester City.In a captivating clash at the Etihad Stadium, Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name into Manchester United folklore once again, delivering a sensational hat-trick to lead his side to a stunning 3-2 victory over Manchester City. As the tension mounted in the Manchester derby, the Portuguese maestro rose to the occasion, silencing the home crowd with an emphatic first-half performance. In the 23rd minute, he received a pinpoint pass from Bruno Fernandes and unleashed a venomous shot that ripped into the City goal. Undeterred, City equalised through a stunning Kevin De Bruyne free-kick. But Ronaldo was not to be denied. Just minutes later, he collected a loose ball on the edge of the area and curled a sumptuous strike into the top corner to restore United’s lead. The half-time whistle brought a sense of relief for City, but it was short-lived. Ronaldo completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute, pouncing on a mistake by Nicolas Otamendi to round the goalkeeper and slide the ball into an empty net. City rallied in the closing stages, with Riyad Mahrez reducing the deficit to 3-2 in the 85th minute. But United held on valiantly, their defence led by the inspired Victor Lindelof. Ronaldo’s heroics marked his first hat-trick since returning to Old Trafford and ensured a memorable victory for Erik ten Hag’s side. The Portuguese forward’s brilliance shone through as he tormented the City defence throughout the match. Manchester United celebrated their stunning triumph, while City were left to rue missed opportunities and contend with the disappointment of losing their unbeaten start to the season. Ronaldo’s hat-trick not only secured three crucial points for United but also injected a much-needed dose of confidence into the team. As they look to build momentum under ten Hag, the Portuguese maestro has once again proven to be their talisman, leading by example with his exceptional performances.
