Cristiano Ronaldo brought up a special milestone after bagging a brace in Manchester United's 3-2 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
Premier League
Report: Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal
Date: 02 December 2021
Venue: Old Trafford
Man United's interim manager Michael Carrick stood in for the last time, as he recalled Ronaldo while Harry Maguire returned from suspension, the Gunners meanwhile, surprisingly dropped Bukayo Saka and Albert Sambi Lokonga to the bench.
Mikel Arteta's charges had a perfect start after going ahead in the 13th minute with a controversial goal, where Emile Smith Rowe scored with goalkeeper David de Gea down from a corner but the whistle blew after the goal and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) spotted that De Gea was fouled by his own teammate, Fred.
Arsenal threatened on counter-attacks as Gabriel Martinelli came close to doubling their lead seven minutes before the half-time break with a strike from the edge of the box that missed just wide.
However, United levelled matters on the stroke of half-time thanks to a first-time finish by Bruno Fernandes across goal and into the far corner after a cut-back by Fred, who went through on goal.
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The opening exchanges of the second stanza were frantic, as Ronaldo gave the Red Devils a 2-1 lead seven minutes from the break with a first time strike into the bottom corner after a square pass by Marcus Rashford.
The Gunners were back on level terms just two minutes later from an almost similar move, as Martin Odegaard fired a low strike under the body of De Gea from Martinelli's cross.
The game continued to open up and the hosts were awarded a penalty in the last 20 minutes after Odegaard brought down Fred inside the box and Ronaldo fired his spot-kick down the middle, giving goalkeeper Aaron Ramdale no chance, making 3-2 and grabbed his brace.
Arteta made a double-attacking change in the last ten minutes as Alexandre Lacazette replaced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Edward Nketiah came on for Odegaard.
However, Arsenal could not break down United's compact defence, as Carrick's men held on to move up to seventh on log, two points behind fifth-placed Gunners.
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