This game produced amazing moments with loads of goals as both sides scored a combined 5 goals in a thrilling affair. United needed the 3 points just as Arsenal needed it to break into the top 4 but it was United who got the needed 3 points after a 3-2 win.
It was the last game for the interim manager; Michael Carrick as he guided United into 2 wins and a draw; the win against Villarreal in the Champions League, a draw against Chelsea and now a win against Arsenal. After the game, he stepped down and leaves Manchester United with the new coach now on the wings. It was a way to end his reign and affiliation with United after a Ronaldo brace and Bruno Fernandes gave United the 3 goals on the night and Arsenal's two goals coming from Smith-Rowe and Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal started well and bombarded Manchester United so early on with a series of corner kicks. Rashford had to clear one of the attempts off the face of the goal before they gave even out but still, nothing to separate the two sides. Dalot had a tame shot just outside the box in the 7th minute just as Aubameyang received the pass from Partey just outside the box and his shot didn't threaten De Gea that much.
Ronaldo also on the other end had a tame effort at goal that didn't threaten Ramsdale. Both sides are struggling to break each other down with no moment of magic. Martinelli's looping header in the box almost dropped into the net if not for the alertness of De Gea to push it over for a corner kick.
The corner kick caused drama as Fred stepped on the ankle of De Gea. Maguire headed the ball clear but De Gea was still down facing his net when Smith-Rowe struck a clean strike that found the back of the net. De Gea was attended to but the referee gave the goal and Arsenal went ahead with a 1-0 in the 16th minute.
Manchester United are not doing so much upfront and Ronaldo seemed to have forgotten his shooting boots because his shots lacked power and accuracy and it was evident yet again in the 17th minute.
Martinelli missed a golden chance to double Arsenal's lead in the 38th minute after Smith-Rowe brilliantly set him up from the side of the pitch and he miscued his shot as it rolled off target with the net staring at him.
Bruno Fernandes finally restored parity for Manchester United in the 44th minute after Sancho fed Fred and Fred brilliantly cut the ball to Bruno inside the box. His perfectly placed shot found the back of the net to inject life again into Manchester United in his 100th United appearance.
Arsenal started the second half as they started the first and they drew a fine save from De Gea after a well-worked out corner-kick delivery. United grew into the game and Ronaldo was played in on the right side of the box and his brilliant deft touch and cut back made him lose his marker but his shot was blocked off by Ramsdale.
United got ahead for the first time in the game in the 52nd minute after Rashford was afforded too much space on the right-hand side of the box. He expertly picked out Ronaldo who guided the ball into the back of the net with ease to mark his 800th top-flight goal. What a record and what a player Cristiano Ronaldo is.
The lead only lasted 3 minutes as Martin Odegaard restored parity also for Arsenal after Alex Telles afforded Martinelli too much space on his side. He picked out Odegaard whose boot was waiting to pounce on the ball as he found the bottom left corner of the net leaving De Gea completely beaten.
Aubameyang was found by a beautiful long lofted pass by Ben White and he decided to go for goal himself from a tight angle. He was unable to beat De Gea as he got a touch to it and Tavares also headed the rebound over the bar in the 65th minute.
Fernandes came close after his resilience forced him to flash the ball across the face of the goal but no one was there to pounce. Sancho gathered the ball and picked out Fred inside the box but Odegaard, who scored for Arsenal earlier, clumsily challenged Fred inside the box. The referee was initially convinced it wasn't a penalty but after VAR asked him to have a look which he did, he pointed to the spot. Ronaldo stepped up and fired his shot straight down the middle for his 801st career goal and United's 3rd on the night.
Fred seemed to turn the game up in the second half with his tireless effort. He provided a last ditched effort to block Saka's effort inside the box. The corner kick led to a counterattack from United which was led by Sancho. He had the option of picking out Ronaldo or Bruno and he picked Ronaldo but his effort wasn't that much of a threat as it was also blocked off with pressure from Tomiyasu.
Despite the late pressure from Arsenal, United held strong and won the game by 3-2.
Thank you for your time.
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