Manchester United won 1-0 over West Ham in the waning minutes of the game thanks to Marcus Rashford’s 93rd-minute strike.
Ralf Rangnick’s squad returned to the Premier League’s top four for the first time since October with the three points.
While Rashford deservedly received praise for his goal, Cristiano Ronaldo remained the buzz of the town.
The importance of the Portuguese ace’s role in the game-winning goal cannot be overstated. He took the ball approximately halfway into West Ham’s half and dragged two players towards him to create space on the left for Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani.
According to writer Samuel Luckhurst, one of West Ham’s analysts observed, “Ronaldo in that pocket is killing us again.”
The analyst was not mistaken.
Ronaldo’s deft and selfless performance laid the stage for United’s victory. Later, Martial delivered a short pass to Cavani, who floated the ball across the far post for Rashford to score with the game’s last kick.
Remember how early in the season, naysayers said Ronaldo was the problem?
Isn’t it amazing how rapidly things change?
One of the West Ham analysts said deep into the second-half: 'Ronaldo in that pocket is killing us again.' Watching the goal back, he's in that area and draws two players towards him, freeing up room down the left for Martial and Cavani. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) January 22, 2022
