Premier League

Cristiano Ronaldo scores the game-winning goal in Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo scores the game-winning goal in Manchester United's comeback triumph over Arsenal.

Ralf, welcome to the insane asylum. If Manchester United’s new interim manager didn’t realize the magnitude of the task ahead of him, or how unstable his new squad has become, it was laid bare in front of him during a performance that alternated between the silly and the spectacular.

Ralf Rangnick had strapped up in the directors’ box before kick-off, his work permit having arrived earlier in the day – though too late for him to play in the match – and he could be pleased with how United managed to win.

Cristiano Ronaldo was unavoidably the difference-maker. Michael Carrick, the outgoing interim manager, recalled him to the starting lineup, and he scored twice to bring his season total to 12 goals in 16 appearances, the second from the penalty spot proving to be the game-winner. However, it only conveyed part of the narrative of a club that was plagued by defensive concerns and a lack of cohesiveness.

There were 20 minutes left when Ronaldo’s penalty was scored, and it would have taken a brave or naive United fan to foresee an uncomplicated finish. There are now no such guarantees; the last two months or so have been a fight from one phase of play to the next, with Arsenal having their opportunities. Despite this, they were unable to accept them, emphasizing another another element of the event.

Pierre-Emerick With one on the break, Aubameyang was hesitant, and he was lucky that an offside flag was raised against him after he failed to beat David de Gea immediately after. The Arsenal captain’s touch failed him on numerous occasions. And there was Fred to plunge himself into a crucial block when the clock read 87 minutes and the ball broke for the substitute, Bukayo Saka.

Fred, who appeared keen on finding different ways to put his team in difficulties for much of the first half, with the pièce de résistance being his role in the opening goal, encapsulated the helter-skelter character of it all.

Fred, who had trodden on David de Gea, and the Manchester United keeper protest to Martin Atkinson

On an Arsenal corner, the midfielder lost his bearings and stomped on De Gea’s foot as the goalkeeper lunged. De Gea rolled his ankle and collapsed to the ground, clearly distressed. Meanwhile, Arsenal moved the ball across the edge of the area for Emile Smith Rowe to score, despite De Gea’s injury.

United felt compelled to blow a whistle. It was almost strange to them, and Martin Atkinson did blow, with Fred leading the objections, which was funny. Despite this, the referee did not do so until after the ball had gone in, and for what reason? Fred commits a foul on a teammate? It was clear right away that the goal would stand.

Fred would fight back with amazing bravery. On 11 minutes, he had already won the ball from Thomas Partey to set up a chance for Ronaldo, who dragged his shot wide with Marcus Rashford in space to the right. Fred equalized for Bruno Fernandes at the conclusion of the first half, and it was he who was fouled by Martin degaard for the game-winning penalty.

Arsenal’s dissatisfaction was palpable. They’d arrived in good form, with seven victories and two draws in ten league games, and the gift of the first goal had given them the impetus to keep going. Despite this, they found a way to squander it; their defense was tinged with naivety, and their last efforts were frequently lacking in cutting edge.

United came into the game with only five points from their previous eight games, their worst run in Premier League history, and it’s tough to overstate how terrible they looked in the first 15 minutes. They were anxious and strewn with errors, giving Arsenal room in between the lines, and Smith Rowe’s goal, bizarre as it was, had been pre-planned.

After a poorly defended corner, Rashford sliced inches over his own crossbar in the second minute, and Jacho had wasted an easy pass to offer Aubameyang with his first shooting opportunity. It was obstructed.

United was there for the taking, and Arsenal let them off the hook, allowing them to gradually work their way into the lead – albeit unsteadily.

On 39 minutes, Gabriel Martinelli missed a good chance after cutting in from the right wing – Smith Rowe was in space for the pull-back – and United leveled the game with a goal defined by Fred’s ingenuity and vision.

Sancho did well to make the angle for the cut back and execute it when he pushed the ball inside to Fred after Ben White had erred with a clearing. Fernandes’ deft side-footed goal was his first in 16 appearances for United.

United began the second half with more urgency, however De Gea was forced to save a Gabriel header following a corner. After sliding inside Partey and working Aaron Ramsdale from a tight angle, Ronaldo almost scored, and then he did.

Nuno Tavares lost the ball to Diogo Dalot, leaving a huge opening behind him, which Dalot took advantage of with a beautiful pass to Marcus Rashford, who crossed. When White and Partey lost Ronaldo, everyone expected something bad to happen.

It was the cue for United to switch off and provide space at left-back for Partey to pick out Martinelli, who was met unchallenged by degaard, who steered the cross into the far corner. The Norwegian, on the other hand, would become the villain, his lunge into Fred’s back giving Ronaldo the opportunity to score from the penalty. The mystery was that VAR had to tap Atkinson on the shoulder to award the kick. It wasn’t the only one, though.

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