Ron turns jeers into cheers as fans turn on players

THE VERDICT: UNITED 3 NORWICH 2

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

THE protesting United supporters had warned the players they were also in their cross-hairs. Against Norwich, they targeted them explicitly: “You're not fit to wear the shirt." But Cristiano Ronaldo is.

So often regarded as the source of the club's problems, Ronaldo is usually the solution. His second hat-trick of the season detoxified one of the most poisonous atmospheres Old Trafford has experienced in living memory.

No sooner had some ceased verbally abusing Paul Pogba that they were jumping for joy at Ronaldo's free-kick that clutched victory from the jaws of defeat.

In a campaign during which he has turned 37, Ronaldo has plundered 21 goals and two hat-tricks in his first season back in England for 12 years.

Some joyless pseudo-intellectuals will continue to depict him as the villain of the piece. All of a sudden, he may be the hero. Surreally, United are three points off the final Champions League qualifying place in the Premier League.

Few will be sidetracked by a needlessly gritty win against the league's basement club. An apocalyptic evening at Anfield is possible on Tuesday and then it is Arsenal away on Sunday.

For thousands of United fans, the endgoal is not Champions League football but removing the owners. As far as the team is concerned, "You're not fit to wear the shirt" marks a watershed moment. Bruno Fernandes has got worse since his unnecessary salary hike yet remains untouchable.

That chant has not been aired at Old Trafford towards the United players in a lifetime. Some railed against it with the loyal 'we'll support you ever more and then Pogba's number was up. First there were cheers and then boos. "F**k off Pogba," chanted the Stretford Enders.