Carrick Bids Man United Farewell, Ronaldo Surpasses 800 Goals In Arsenal Thriller

It was a night of mixed emotions at Old Trafford as Michael Carrick bid the club farewell and  Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed 800 goals for club and country with a double to see off Arsenal 3-2.

Carrick was taking charge for the final time as caretaker manager with new interim boss Ralf Rangnick watching from the stands and announced after the match he will leave the club rather than return to his coaching role.

The former United midfielder has been in charge for three games and has not lost even once, winning twice and drawing once, a 1-1 stalemate against Chelsea.

"It’s 100% my decision. I thought it was the right thing to do for the club and for Ralf and I’m quite happy with that.

"We were in a situation where there was a responsibility to see these games through. The loyalty to Ole is a little bit of a factor but there were a lot of things that came into my decision," Carrick stated.

A vital three points means Rangnick will take over with United just three points off the Premier League top four and with an enticing run of fixtures to come over the festive period.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ben White had chances for the visitors inside the first two minutes.

When Arsenal did go in front on 13 minutes it was in strange fashion.

Emile Smith Rowe’s shot bounced into an unguarded net with David De Gea down injured having been stood on by his own player Fred.

Referee Martin Atkinson blew the whistle to stop play, but only after the ball had crossed the line and therefore the goal had to stand.

Arsenal players rebuffed United’s request to stand aside and allow them to equalise in a gesture of fair play.

But they did so of their own accord a minute before half-time when Jadon Sancho and Fred combined to tee up Fernandes to slot home his first goal since September.

Ronaldo was dropped to the bench by Carrick at Stamford Bridge on Sunday amid suggestions that may become a more common occurrence under Rangnick’s high-energy style.

Accommodating the 36-year-old has been one of the causes of United’s decline defensively this season.

But Ronaldo has kept his end of the bargain with 12 goals in 17 games since returning for a second spell with the Red Devils.

He coolly slotted home Marcus Rashford’s cross, but United’s lead lasted just two minutes as Arsenal responded with almost a carbon copy equaliser.