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:
Ma Utd vs Arsenal: Arteta on Tavares and Tierney
Mikel Arteta shocked most people when he named Nuno Tavares in Arsenal’s starting XI against Newcastle ahead of number one left-back Kieran Tierney but his faith in the 21-year-old was rewarded with a strong performance against the Magpies.
Speaking about why he went for Taveres over Tierney, Arteta said:
It was a tricky one and after what happened at Anfield and some individual errors that we had, we have to be very careful with the messages that we send to our players,
"I encourage my players to play with courage, to take risks, to make decisions and to be on the front foot and when they do that, if for any reason things don’t go our way or somebody makes a mistake, that’s when you have to show trust in the player because you want to build confidence and resilience.
"It’s not only for the player that’s playing, it’s also for the player that’s not playing to understand that part of that decision is to support and in their case, if it happens to them, I will do exactly the same thing.
"It’s something that we have to build and with young players even more, because if not, they can get very confused. I have full confidence in him [Tavares]."
It will be interesting to see who Arteta goes for tonight. Will he stick with Tavares or will Tierney get a recall? The team news is expected shortly.
Man Utd vs Arsenal: Head-to-head
Manchester United could go seven Premier League games without beating Arsenal for the first time in their history and Arsenal can win consecutive league games at Old Trafford for the first time since February 1979.
The Gunners would set a new club record by keeping a fourth consecutive clean sheet in this fixture if Manchester United fial to score. Arsenal’s last six league away wins versus Manchester United were all by a 1-0 scoreline.
Man Utd vs Arsenal: Arsenal defender Gabriel fended off baseball bat-wielding thug at his home
Arsenal star Gabriel fought off a baseball bat-wielding thug who attempted to steal his car.
Gabriel Magalhaes, known as Gabriel, had just returned to his home in Barnet, north London, when he was approached by three men as he got out of his car on August 20th.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta recently spoke about the incident saying that you have to “give credit” to Gabriel for how he handled the situation:
Arsenal defender Gabriel fended off baseball bat-wielding thug at his home
The defender had just returned from a night out in August when he was approached by three men
Man Utd vs Arsenal: Arteta on what he expects from Man Utd
Mikel Arteta was asked how he prepared his Arsenal team for tonight’s trip to Old Trafford with all the changes and uncertainty happening at Manchester United and he admitted it was difficult to from a tactical perspective. He said:
You know what to expect when you got to that stadium and play in front of that crowd. They are a team, a squad that is one of the most talented in the league.
“You know the situation you are going to face. It is very difficult tactically because you don’t know how they are going to prepare the game, the options that they can play, the formation they can [have] so it’s focused more on ourselves, on what we have to do and make sure the team is prepared to go there and beat them.”
Man Utd vs Arsenal: Carrick on taking charge at Old Trafford
Michael Carrick’s short time as caretaker manager of Manchester United comes to an end this evening but not before he’s had the chance to lead the team at Old Trafford against Arsenal.
When asked how it felt to be leading the team in a home fixture Carrick said he was trying to ‘not get carried away’ with it all and was looking forward to taking on the Gunners. He said:
It’s obviously a huge privilege and one I never imagined would actually happen at any stage. So to be in that position is a huge sense of pride and responsibility, of course.
“You know, I’m a fan and my family are just supporters of Manchester United anyway, so to be in that seat will be a good feeling. I still keep going back to I can’t hide the fact I am here because of the situation with Ole so I’m not getting carried away with at all.
“I’ll try to make the most of it tomorrow night but actually it’s about the players, the team and getting the right result.
“There have been some classics [Man Utd vs Arsenal games] over the years. I’ve been involved in some and watched from afar before I even got here.
“There’s always been a special feeling around this game and an edge around the fixture. The boys are looking forward to it, we’re looking forward to it, these are the big games you want to be involved in, and obviously we’re trying to come out on top.”
Man Utd vs Arsenal: Ralf Rangnick granted work permit to start as Manchester United interim manager
Ralf Rangnick has been granted a work permit to begin working as Manchester United’s new interim manager.
The 63-year-old’s appointment as the temporary successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was confirmed on Monday subject to visa requirements.
As part of post-Brexit immigration regulations, Rangnick had to apply for and receive a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) before taking over at Old Trafford.
Ralf Rangnick granted work permit to start as Manchester United’s interim manager
Rangnick set to commence work after Thursday’s Premier League meeting with Arsenal
Man Utd vs Arsenal: Recent results
Manchester United have somewhat steadied the ship since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking with one win and one draw under caretaker boss Michael Carrick. That victory came against Villarreal in the Champions League and sent the Red Devils into the last-16. They followed it up with a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge against Premier League leaders Chelsea last time out. United have appointed Ralf Rangnick as their new interim coach but Carrick will be in the dugout against Arsenal this evening and will be hoping to remain undefeated during his run in charge.
Arsenal meanwhile are flying up the league table. They are just one point behind West Ham and can move into the top four with a victory at Old Trafford this evening. Mikel Arteta’s side were unbeaten in 10 matches but suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on 20th November. They bounced-back last time out with a professional 2-0 victory over Newcastle leaving them in good form and on the verge of the top four.
Man Utd vs Arsenal: Early team news
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire returns after serving a one-game suspension but Luke Shaw will continue to be assessed following a head injury that has kept him out of the last two games whilst Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Raphael Varane are still sidelined.
Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac are both absent for Arsenal but Bukayo Saka may be available after he was forced off during the Newcastle game. He will undergo a fitness before the match to see if he has recovered from a muscle injury.
Manchester United host Arsenal as Rangnick watches on
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage as Manchester United host Arsenal in the Premier League this evening.
Ralf Rangnick was granted a work permit on Thursday morning but will watch tonight’s match from the stands rather than the dugout, having not yet had the chance to work with his new squad. That means Michael Carrick will take charge of a third and final game as caretaker manager, having done no disservice to his reputation whatsoever with victory against Villarreal and a draw at Chelsea.
Arsenal will provide a difficult test too, though, with Mikel Arteta’s side having won four of their last five top-flight games. The Gunners can move into the top four with a victory, although they may have to make do without Bukayo Saka, who limped off after an hour of Arsenal’s match against Newcastle last weekend.
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