2 years ago
Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 800th career goal to help Manchester United win; Ralf Rangnick, the new interim manager of Manchester United, watches from the stands. Arsenal's controversial opener comes from Smith Rowe. Fernandes and Ronaldo turn the game around, Odegaard equalizes before Ronaldo's penalty seals the victory.
The hosts were trailing early on after Emile Smith Rowe's controversial opener, which was watched from the stands by new interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who has been granted permission to begin work at United (13).
With David de Gea down injured after his ankle was stood on by teammate Fred, the England international's shot found the back of the net, but with referee Martin Atkinson not blowing his whistle, the goal was eventually given after a VAR check.
It was enough to give United a much-needed victory in what was Michael Carrick's final game at the club: shortly after the final whistle, an announcement was made confirming Carrick had chosen to step down from his role as first team coach following the conclusion of his caretaker managership.
United, who ended a four-game league winless streak 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, who suffered their fifth defeat of the season, denying them the chance to move into the top four.
How Ronaldo inspired Manchester United's victory over Arsenal...
Arsenal got off to a fast start, and Manchester United relied on Marcus Rashford to deflect Ben White's goalbound header early on.
The Gunners did take the lead in the 13th minute in bizarre circumstances through Smith Rowe's strike.
‘Ronaldo the difference for Man Utd’
Kevin Campbell on Sky Sports News:
"Michael Carrick has done an excellent job of organizing the team, eliciting a response from the team, and guiding Manchester United to two wins and a draw during what could have been a difficult period for the club.
"But the team has recovered under him, and they have a win over a good Arsenal team. Arsenal made a few errors and were punished, which is why you have Cristiano Ronaldo on your team.
"He's a difference maker, and it proved to be the difference between Manchester United and Arsenal."
For the first time since February 2016, Manchester United scored three goals at home against Arsenal, with current caretaker manager Michael Carrick playing the entire 90 minutes.
Arsenal has lost more Premier League games against Manchester United (25) than any other opponent in the competition's history (Liverpool, 24).
Man United had conceded nine consecutive Premier League goals at Old Trafford without scoring themselves in between, their longest home league run of goals conceded without reply since November 1961. (also nine).
Man United have conceded in 15 consecutive home games in all competitions, their second-longest streak after a 21-game streak that ended in March 1959.
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