Cristiano Ronaldo’s double, which included his 800th career goal, inspired Manchester United to a 3-2 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Watched from the stands by new interim boss Ralf Rangnick, who has been granted his permit to begin work at United, the hosts found themselves behind early on after Emile Smith Rowe’s controversial opener (13).
The England international’s shot found the back of the net with David de Gea down injured after his ankle was stood on by team-mate Fred, but with referee Martin Atkinson not blowing his whistle, the goal was eventually given after a VAR check.
United hit back through Bruno Fernandes just before the break before Ronaldo’s landmark goal – on his return to the side after he was left on the bench at Chelsea at the weekend – turned the game on its head seven minutes into the second half.
In what was a topsy-turvy game, Arsenal found their own response just two minutes later through Martin Odegaard, but goal 800 was quickly followed by 801 as Ronaldo converted from the penalty spot after Odegaard was penalised for a foul on Fred following another VAR check.
It was enough to secure United a much-needed victory in what was Michael Carrick’s final game at the club: an announcement came shortly after the final whistle confirming Carrick had chosen to step down from his role as first team coach following the conclusion of his spell as caretaker manager.
The victory sees United, who ended a run of four games without a win in the league at Old Trafford, move up to seventh ahead of Rangnick’s first game in charge against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
United are now two points behind fifth-placed Arsenal, whose fifth defeat of the season meant they missed out on the opportunity to move into the top four.
▪︎How Ronaldo inspired United to victory over Arsenal…
Arsenal started on the front foot and Man Utd needed Marcus Rashford to hook Ben White’s goalbound header away from goal in the early stages.
The Gunners did take the lead in the 13th minute in bizarre circumstances through Smith Rowe’s strike.
United goalkeeper De Gea went down injured after Fred had stepped on his boot as the Gunners lined up a set-piece. United’s players, unaware of the contact with a team-mate, believed De Gea had been fouled and expected play to be stopped.
However, there was no whistle from referee Atkinson as Smith Rowe’s strike flew past the grounded De Gea, and the goal was allowed to stand after a long check.
After the goal, it was the hosts who began to take control of the game, dominating possession as Arsenal dropped further and further back in an attempt to defend their lead.
It backfired for Mikel Arteta’s side as United equalised just before the interval through Fernandes.
White’s attempted clearance was poor, Jadon Sancho played in Fred, and the Brazilian cut the ball back for Fernandes to finish from close range.
United started the second half brightly and claimed the lead after 52 minutes through Ronaldo, who took up a good position in the box as Rashford broke down the right and was in the right place to sweep home the England forward’s cross for his landmark goal.
But the smile was quickly wiped from Ronaldo’s face as Arsenal hit back two minutes later. Gabriel Martinelli was picked out down the right and the Brazilian fired the ball into the box for Odegaard to guide the ball past De Gea for the equaliser.
All Odegaard’s good work was undone, though, when the Norwegian’s rash challenge on Fred handed United a penalty.
Referee Atkinson pointed to the spot after the VAR advised he watch the pitchside monitor, with Ronaldo keeping his cool in front of the Stretford End to lash home what proved to be the winner. (Sky Sports)
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