At the weekend, the Portugal international scored a superb hat-trick for the Red Devils in their 3-2 victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford. The Red Devils had been given some extra time off to rest after missing the previous week's match against Manchester City.

Despite the fact that Chadwick believes Ronaldo looked a little sharper after his time off, many fans will believe that the 37-year-old proved that he is far too important to ever be given a break from football.

Despite the fact that the debate will undoubtedly continue, Chadwick shared his thoughts on the game and Ronaldo's performance in an exclusive interview with CaughtOffside.

As Chadwick put it: "It was a good game; both teams had their chances, there's no doubt about that, but Cristiano Ronaldo was clearly the difference between the two teams."

After a long range shot, a tap-in and then an incredible header to win the game for him, it was an absolute masterclass from him. " In particular, we've been waiting for Cristiano Ronaldo to do something special like that this season because he hasn't been firing on all cylinders, particularly in recent weeks.

When he missed last week's game against Manchester City, he came back with a bang, and that just goes to show who he is and what he is all about – give him even half-chances and he'll punish you." After a string of underwhelming performances, he returned with a bang, scoring the game's winning goal.

"Without him, I'm not sure United would have managed even a single point, let alone all three." Even though it wasn't a particularly spectacular team performance, it was a good game, and the great man was the difference between the two teams.

"He appears to be in the same physical condition as he was five or six years ago." He hasn't been as consistent as he has been in the past, but that is understandable given that he hasn't been playing on a high-performing team week in and week out.

The fact that he wants to be on the field at all times is because he wants to break all the records and continue to score more goals. After that extended period of rest, he did appear to be a little more alert.

Although, given the situation that United are in, it would be difficult to leave him out because there isn't really anyone else in that squad who can offer the goal threat he does, or do what he did on Saturday in that position."

As a fan, you want to see him perform at his peak every time you see him on the field, so the club must figure out how to best manage him. If he is not in the lineup and the team does not win, it will be extremely difficult for them to crack the top four.

United must win all of their games if they are to have any chance of finishing in the top four, and it is reasonable to assume that Ronaldo will play a significant role in that. "Arsenal are now in an extremely strong position, and United must win all of their games if they are to have any chance of finishing in the top four."