Manchester United vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Relive all the action from Old Trafford as Michael Carrick oversaw his final game as interim manager
Cristiano Ronaldo reached 800 career goals as his brace secured Manchester United a much-needed victory against Arsenal as interim manager Ralf Rangnick saw his new side triumph from the stands.
A lot has changed at Old Trafford since their last home game 26 days ago, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer losing his job after that loss to Manchester City was compounded by a shocking defeat at Watford.
United coach Michael Carrick has steadied the ship during an unbeaten three-match caretaker stint that ended with an entertaining 3-2 victory against Arsenal at a bouncing Old Trafford.
It was only their second win in nine Premier League games and a timely shot in the arm ahead of Rangnick’s first game in charge against Crystal Palace this Sunday.
The German has signed a deal until the end of the season and Thursday’s match will have given him food for thought, having seen the quality and ongoing concerns first hand from the directors’ box.
Finding a way to keep clean sheets will be key if this season is to be a success for United, although there was little that could be done to prevent Emile Smith Rowe’s bizarre opener.
David De Gea was rolling around in pain when the Arsenal youngster struck, with the VAR instructing referee Martin Atkinson to award the goal as it was the Spaniard’s team-mate Fred that hurt the goalkeeper.
Bruno Fernandes, making his 100th United appearance, levelled before half-time, with Ronaldo turning home Marcus Rashford’s cross to bring up 800 goals for club and country early in the second half.
But Arsenal took just two minutes to bring this helter-skelter clash back level as Martin Odegaard found the net with a low finish - good work undone 16 minutes later by his rash challenge on Fred inside the box.
Atkinson awarded the penalty 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. Relive all the action below:
Penalty to Manchester United!
Man Utd 2 - 2 Arsenal
69 mins: Martin Atkinson is called over to the monitor, he sees a replay of the incident and then points to the spot. Cristiano Ronaldo has the ball in his hands.
Man Utd 2 - 2 Arsenal
68 mins: Penalty shout! Fred makes a run into the box and Sancho feeds him the ball. Odegaard tries to win it but slides in and gets tangled with the Manchester United midfielder. Martin Atkinson says no penalty but VAR is taking a look...
Man Utd 2 - 2 Arsenal
66 mins: Fernandes attempts a chipped pass into the box for Ronaldo but Ramsdale is out quickly and plucks the ball out of the air. Bukayo Saka is getting ready on the sidelines for Arsenal.
Man Utd 2 - 2 Arsenal
63 mins: Rashford closes down Tavares and blocks his cross into the box. Man Utd to be working harder off the ball to keep Arsenal at bay.
A simple ball over the top from White comes dropping over Telles and Aubameyang is in on goal. He breezes into the box as the United left-back tries to get back into position. Aubameyang shoots from the right side but De Gea palms the effort away and Partey’s follow up is headed wide!
Man Utd 2 - 2 Arsenal
60 mins: Aubameyang releases Smith Rowe down the left wing and he flies towards the box before being caught by Dalot who wins the ball with a decent tackle.
Man Utd then attack with Fernandes. He passes it inside to Ronaldo who gives it to Sancho on the left. His cross into the box is whipped in deep but Partey is back to head it clear for the Gunners.
Man Utd 2 - 2 Arsenal
57 mins: Cristiano Ronaldo’s 800 goals broken down: 129 for Man Utd, 5 for Sporting, 450 Real Madrid, 101 Juventus, and 115 Portugal.
He gave Manchester United a 90 second lead before Martin Odegaard levelled things up.
Man Utd 2 - 2 Arsenal (Odegaard, 54’)⚽️
54 mins: Arsenal are back on terms! This is almost a carbon copy of the goal United just scored. Partey with a darting pass out to Martinelli on the right side. He brings it into the box and cuts it back to Odegaard who turns it into the far bottom corner! This game is very much alive. Where will the next goal come from?
GOAL! Man Utd 2 - 1 Arsenal (Ronaldo, 52’)⚽️
52 mins: 800 goals for club and country now for Cristiano Ronaldo! This is another great goal from the home team. Rashford makes a run off the ball and Dalot slots a diagonal pass over to him. He carries it into the box before pulling it back to Ronaldo who turns the ball into the far bottom corner!
Man Utd 1 - 1 Arsenal
51 mins: Chance! Manchester United move the ball quickly and get up the pitch. It comes up to Sancho who knocks the ball across to Fred making a run up the pitch. He gives it to Fernandes who squares a pass to Rashford. He sets himself and then belts one from outside the box but smokes it straight down Ramsdale’s throat and the goalkeeper smothers the shot.
Man Utd 1 - 1 Arsenal
48 mins: Save! It’s all happening out there. Fernandes threads the ball into the right side of the box and Ronaldo brings in under control. He checks to the left and leaves Partey on the floor before hitting a shot at goal and being denied by the outstretched hand of Aaron Ramsdale!
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