Cristiano Ronaldo asks Man Utd staff to get his Tottenham hat-trick match ball before walking straight down tunnel

STONY-FACED hat-trick hero Cristiano Ronaldo was first down the tunnel after sinking Tottenham - but only after asking Manchester United staff to get him his match-ball.

Recalled Ron hugged SPURS boss Antonio Conte and applauded Old Trafford fans before his swift exit increased speculation he is unsettled.

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The legend mocked the decision to axe him last weekend with just his second ever treble for United - and first since January 2008.

But his sullen look afterwards added weight to suggestions he could try to quit Old Trafford in the summer.

Ronaldo was taken off on 83 minutes, shortly after his header nicked a 3-2 win.

And his dramatic departure at the final whistle came after he reportedly met with agent Jorge Mendes to discuss his future

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But the Portugal striker's most important talking came on the pitch.

Ron's 59th career triple saw off Tottenham and made him the second-oldest Premier League hat-trick scorer at 37 years and 35 days.

That's 111 days younger than Teddy Sheringham was when the ex-England forward put Portsmouth top of the Prem with a treble in a 4-0 defeat of Bolton in August 2003.

And Ronaldo's latest age-defying wonder show briefly distracted attention from his off-the-field saga.

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Once interim boss Ralf Rangnick told him he'd only be a sub at the Etihad, Ron complained he had a hip problem and left for Portugal.

But after totally missing Manchester City's 4-1 win, Ron was back in training by midweek.

And although there is said to be tension around Carrington, he defused the anxiety at Old Trafford as his display outgunned Spurs hitman Harry Kane and put United back up to fourth.

It came as reports claim United hope to appoint a permanent manager by the end of April.

That's despite their two main targets still being in jobs - under-fire Mauricio Pochettino at PSG and Erik ten Hag with Ajax.