'Cristiano Ronaldo has brought Fergie time back to Man Utd - and it could save his boss'

Fergie Time is back – and it could make the difference between success and failure for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United manager.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s 20 years of glory at Old Trafford was often defined by last-gasp winners and a team who never gave up.

And the significance of ­Cristiano Ronaldo’s winner five minutes into added time against Villarreal may only become ­apparent as the season unfolds.

But it put a different ­complexion on what could have been a dispiriting week for United.

Just one point from two Champions League games, ­following a home ­defeat by Aston Villa, would have cranked up the pressure on ­Solskjaer and the #OleOut ­brigade would have been out in force on social media.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's week could have looked very different had Cristiano Ronaldo not saved the day (REUTERS)

Yet if United beat Everton this weekend, knowing at least one of Liverpool and Manchester City will drop points at Anfield 24 hours later, he will be back at the wheel again.

These are the fine lines ­Solskjaer treads as manager of arguably the biggest football club in the world.

Lose, and the critics ­immediately find their voice. Win, and it’s United are going to win the league.

I have never called for Solskjaer to be sacked, even after that incredible 6-1 pasting at home by Tottenham a year ago this weekend.

But after landing Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael ­Varane in the transfer window, this is Ole’s team now.

He will be defined by the ­trophies his team win – or miss out on – this season.

This title race reminds me of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy ­Murray at their peak in tennis.

Only one of them can win a Grand Slam title, but the ­standard is so high it’s almost impossible to separate them from one tournament to the next.

Similarly, there is so little to choose between United, City, Liverpool and Chelsea this ­season that it’s going to take margin as fine as a gossamer thread to sort out the top four.

And to prove it, already the table is tighter than a rush-hour Tube before lockdown.

We’re only six games in, and you can tell it’s going to go down to the wire.

If United are to win their first trophy in five seasons, or their first title since 2013, those fine margins are going to be decisive - both in the Premier League and Europe.

So Ronaldo’s last-gasp goal to defeat Villarreal was a sign that Fergie Time is here again.