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Manchester United’s Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring their third goal from the penalty spot during their English Premier League football match against Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on December 2, 2021. (Photo : OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United finally returned to the win column in the Premier League, recording a 3-2 victory over Arsenal in a thrilling encounter at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo starred for the Red Devils, who moved to within three points of West Ham for fourth place in the league table.
The Gunners opened the scoring in the 13th minute, with Emile Smith Rowe putting Arsenal ahead in controversial circumstances. Smith Rowe fired his attempt with United goalkeeper David de Gea lying on the ground after he seemingly got injured in a collision with teammate Fred. VAR confirmed the incident with referee Martin Atkinson giving Smith Rowe the opener.
Ronaldo inspires United comeback
The embattled Red Devils managed to equalize just before the half-time break, with Bruno Fernandez finally ending his goal-scoring drought. He finished an intricate move that involved Fred and Jadon Sancho in the 44th minute to level the game at one goal apiece.
The second half proved to be the Cristiano Ronaldo show as the Portuguese superstar made sure the Red Devils would take home all three points in their clash with Arsenal. Ronaldo gave United a 2-1 lead after sweeping home Marcus Rashford’s cross in the 52nd minute. Ronaldo’s strike was his 800th career goal, making him the first player in history to score that many top-level goals.
But United’s joy was short-lived, as Arsenal quickly drew level just two minutes later. Martin Odegaard made it 2-2 with a clinical finish to set the stage for a tense finale. Odegaard then became the goat for Arsenal after he fouled Fred inside the box. A VAR check was implemented again, with United getting the call this time around.
Ronaldo was assigned to be the penalty taker, and he did not disappoint, blasting the spot kick right down the middle in the 70th minute for a 3-2 lead. That proved to be the game’s final goal as United successfully thwarted Arsenal’s attempts to snatch a late equalizer.
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Carrick announces departure after United win
It was a fitting send-off for interim manager Michael Carrick, who went undefeated in his three-game stint as temporary United boss. Carrick helped United seal a last 16 berth in the Champions League with a win over Villarreal in his first game in charge before guiding the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw against Chelsea over the weekend.
Carrick made a shocking revelation after the win against Arsenal, with the former England star announcing that he was leaving Manchester United after a 15-year spell with the club. After United signed Ralf Rangnick to be their new manager, Carrick made the decision. Rangnick was in the stands on Thursday night, watching Manchester United’s win from the director’s box.
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