Ronaldo finds the net twice to notch up an incredible 800 career goals! Rangnick looks on, as his new club edge a five-goal EPL thriller 3-2, at the Theatre of Dreams!
Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace, which contained his 800th career goal, inspired Manchester United to a 3-2 triumph over Arsenal at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
New interim boss, Ralf Rangnick, who has been granted his permit to begin working at United, was watching from the stands, as the hosts found themselves one down early on, after Emile Smith-Rowe’s unconventional opener.
The England attacking midfielder’s strike found the back of the net, with David de Gea down injured, after his ankle was stood on by team-mate, Fred. With referee, Martin Atkinson, not stopping the game, the goal eventually stood after a VAR review.
United levelled through Bruno Fernandes, just before half-time, 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 upside down, with the stadium clock showing 52 minutes played.
In a frenetic encounter, Arsenal found their own response just two minutes later through Martin Ødegaard. But goal 800 was quickly followed by 801, as Ronaldo converted the spot-kick after Ødegaard was penalised for a foul on Fred.
It was enough to earn United a much-needed victory, in what should be Michael Carrick’s final game at the club: an announcement came shortly after the end of the match, confirming that Carrick had chosen to step down from his role as first-team coach, following the end of his time as caretaker manager.
Manchester United move up to 7th place, with 21 points in the EPL table on the back of this result. Arsenal stay 5th, with 23.
