Roy Keane believes Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick against Tottenham may help persuade him to stay with Manchester United for another season.
Ronaldo was the star of the show as United picked up a vital 3-2 win over Spurs at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
The Portuguese star opened the scoring with a thunderbolt into the top corner from distance before an Alex Telles handball allowed Harry Kane to equalise from the penalty spot.
Ronaldo gave United the lead once again with a tap-in from Jadon Sancho’s low cross, but an own goal from Harry Maguire made it 2-2 in the second half.
Not to be denied, Ronaldo powered in a thumping header from a corner in the 81st minute to move United back above Arsenal into fourth place.
Ronaldo missed United’s 4-1 defeat in the Manchester derby with a hip flexor problem, but returned with a bang at Old Trafford to take his tally to 18 goals for the season and impress Keane.
"That’s where United are at – the quality of both teams wasn’t great – but it was entertaining and Ronaldo stepped up to the plate,” the former United midfielder said on Sky Sports.
“He looked angry today, a lot of aggression, he’s obviously been upset by something, but he’s shown today what we’ve seen over the years.
“He’s brilliant, he’s a genius, the three goals were fantastic, five touches in total, he brings so much to this team.
“Why people think he can’t play every week or value [him]. We’ve seen it today.”
United’s inconsistent form saw them knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough in February and Ronaldo’s long-term future at the club has come into question recently.
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Mirror Football reported last month that United would not stand in the way of the 37-year-old if he were to force through an exit this summer – a year before his contract expires.
Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford from Juventus in the summer in search of trophies, but Keane believes results like the win over Spurs can help make his mind up.
"Games like tonight will help with his decision-making,” he said.
“As great as he is, the next challenge is to make this Manchester United team compete again for league titles, it’s another story regarding the new manager and recruitment.
“But Ronaldo has a huge part to play in that and help the rebuilding of the club."
Arsenal are just two points adrift of United and have four games in hand on their rivals ahead of their match against Leicester City on Sunday.
United will now turn their attention to the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Ralf Rangnick’s side come into the tie level at 1-1 after Anthony Elanga’s dramatic late equaliser in the first leg in Madrid.
