Manchester United hat-trick hero Cristiano Ronaldo handed the match ball to youngster Alejandro Garnacho after helping Ralf Rangnick’s team down Norwich City in the Premier League.

Ronaldo’s goals helped Rangnick’s side secure an unconvincing victory, with goals from Kieran Dowell and Teemu Pukki bringing the Premier League’s bottom side back from 2-0 down to 2-2 before the veteran’s winner. However, with Tottenham and Arsenal both losing, the result lifts United back into the race for Champions League football.

Youngster Garnacho was included in a Premier League matchday squad for the first time, though he remained on the bench as United ground out a win. And, after describing his teammate as the “greatest of all times,” the teenager was rewarded by Ronaldo after the game.

Garnacho’s first matchday involvement came after he was called up to the senior Argentina squad for the first time in March. He has now trained with Ronaldo and Lionel Messi before making his senior bow.

The 17-year-old has featured for United’s under-21s in the Papa John’s Trophy, and was joined in the squad for the Norwich game along with fellow academy talent Hannibal. His involvement comes off the back of a starring role in the FA Youth Cup, with Garnacho registering five goals and three assists across five games to help his team reach the final.

He didn’t make it onto the pitch, with Rangnick opting to bring on Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford. However, after the game, he could be spotted exchanging words with Ronaldo as the veteran handed over the match ball.

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Rangnick spoke glowingly of Garnacho before the game, telling MUTV : “He has been training with us the last two weeks and he is one of the most promising players. He is only 17, but if he keeps his feet on the ground, he will not only be sitting on the bench but will be playing for this club.”