CRISTIANO RONALDO netted a brace as Man Utd beat Arsenal 3-2 in the Premier League on Thursday night.
But there will be some concerns after the Portugal captain was forced off injured late in the game.
Emile Smith Rowe put the Gunners ahead early with the most bizarre of goals.
With David de Gea down injured, the midfielder fired the ball into an empty net.
And referee Martin Atkinson failed to blow his whistle before the ball crossed the line so was ordered by VAR to give a goal.
Bruno Fernandes then equalised for the Red Devils on the stroke of half time.
Ronaldo then netted his 800th goal to put United ahead to the delight of the Stretford end before his former Real Madrid team-mate Odegaard instantly equalised.
However a clumsy challenge from the Norwegian on Fred saw the Portugal captain earn a penalty to make it 801 career goals.
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TAKING AUBA OFF WAS A THIERRY STRANGE DECISION
Thierry Henry has questioned why Mikel Arteta took Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang off with Arsenal chasing an equaliser at Manchester United.
The Gunners captain was replaced by Alexandre Lacazette in the 79th minute last night as United won 3-2.
And with Arsenal a goal behind going into the latter stages of the game, Arteta decided to sacrifice his skipper in a double change.
Aubameyang, 32, was an almost invisible figure against the Red Devils, with the striker failing to offer anything.
His only notable contribution was being denied by David De Gea from yards out, resulting in him being taken off moments later.
It is now five Premier League games without a goal for the Gabon international, but despite his poor form, Henry believes he should have stayed on the pitch.
Speaking on Amazon Prime, Arsenal‘s all-time top scorer said: “Aubameyang is your captain. He is your goal scorer.
“You put him as your captain. 15 minutes to go, you’re losing 3-2 and you take him off. 3-2 away from home, you need a goal and you take your captain, your symbol, off the field.
“You know he can score you goals so something is not right there.”
MANE UTD?
Manchester United are reportedly positioning themselves to snap up long-time transfer target Ousmane Dembele for FREE.
The Frenchman’s contract at the Catalan giants is set to expire next June, potentially spelling an end to his injury-hit career at the club.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Dembele’s agent has advised against signing a new deal with Barca.
Dembele is being fed the impression he could pick up more money elsewhere, with Premier League duo Man Utd and newly mega-rich Newcastle circling.
United are believed to have the edge in the race to sign the unpredictable winger, already positioning themselves to make a move.
But it is unclear whether an offer will be submitted in the winter transfer window.
REUNION – Exclusive by SunSport’s Jordan Davies
Manchester United want New York Red Bulls coach Gerhard Struber to be Ralf Rangnick’s new assistant.
SunSport understands that United have made contact with the Austrian in the last few days over a move to Old Trafford as Rangnick begins his six-month reign in the hotseat.
However, United would have to buy Struber out of his current contract with New York, which has two years left having joined from Barnsley in October 2020.
It is unsure how quickly United would be able to get Struber to Manchester, despite the fact the regular MLS season finished last month.
Rangnick, 63, and Struber, 44, know each other very well after working together at Red Bull Salzburg – the former as director of football and the latter as a youth team coach.
And following the departure of interim boss Michael Carrick from the club, Rangnick is keen to have people around him with the same footballing and coaching philosophy.
‘STONEWALL PENALTY’
Arsenal fans were left fuming after being denied a potential penalty in the 3-2 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Takehiro Tomiyasu got away from Harry Maguire on the edge of the box in the first half.
And to prevent Tomiyasu from getting his head on the ball, Maguire gave the defender a tug.
But VAR didn’t intervene and play was waived on.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher says the incident wasn’t a ‘clear and obvious error’, which is why it wasn’t given.
One Arsenal fan said on Twitter: “Why haven’t they checked Maguire dragging down Tomiyasu in the penalty box? Stonewall penalty.”
While another fumed: “That’s a clear foul by Maguire on Tomiyasu in the penalty box… What’s the use of VAR?”
‘A BIT DISAPPOINTED’
Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has given his thoughts on the Gunners’ 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford last night.
He said: “We are a bit disappointed tonight because the team played very well. We could have got a better result.
“In this time of game you need to be clinical defensively and offensively and you have to do the perfect game because of the quality of Manchester United.
“At the end of the first half we started to drop for too long and we conceded. In the second half we had the character to come back but in this type of game I have to stand up and score that opportunity and maybe get a point for us.
“I should definitely score that type of goal but I will not give up and I will keep trying to score goals.
“Compared to the game against Liverpool at Anfield we did better today. We did something very clear and we tried our best. It was very unlucky because I think the team deserved better today.”
‘A TOP COACH’
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has tipped Michael Carrick to be a ‘really good manager’ after he announced his departure from the club on Thursday.
Carrick was placed in temporary charge of United after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking last month.
Speaking to Amazon Prime after last night’s game, Fernandes backed Carrick to have a future in management.
He said: “I’ve said to him I was really mad to be off on his first game and I tell him now at the end of this game.
“But honestly for me Michael can be a really good manager in the future if he gets that chance.
“He knows how to speak, he knows a lot of football.
“He was one of the great players that not a lot of people talk about. For what I have seen he can be a top coach.”
KING RALF’S PALACE
Get used to this sight, Man United fans.
It’s your new boss walking the corridors of Old Trafford.
Have you been impressed by his first press conference?
PRESSING CONCERNS
Can this be a coincidence, Man United fans?
It seems Cristiano Ronaldo DOES have the energy to press more.
RALF AND READY – by SunSport’s Neil Custis
Ralf Rangnick wants to stay on as Manchester United manager if he is successful at Old Trafford this season.
SunSport revealed last week that despite a contract being drawn up for just six-and-a-half months as manager and then two years as a consultant he had not given up on getting the job full time.
And Rangnick confirmed: “Right now I’m fully aware they might be looking for a new manager.
“If they will then speak with me about that we will see. Maybe if they ask my opinion and everything goes well and we develop the team I might even make the same recommendation to the board that I did at Leipzig twice when I recommended it might be a good idea to keep working with me for one year.
“But this is all hypothetical. For me now it’s about winning the next games and this is the major focus.”
‘BIGGEST CLUB IN THE WORLD’
Ralf Rangnick is excited to get started at Manchester United.
He said: “We are talking about six-and-a-half months, one third of the games, and we have agreed on a two-year advisory deal. If Manchester United contacts you for such a role you cannot turn it down.
“This is one of the biggest clubs, if not the biggest club, in the world. I am excited to work with the players we have here.
“I have watched the latest games, Watford, Chelsea, Arsenal, and I also watched on TV the games against Liverpool and Manchester City.
“I am well acquainted. It’s pretty obvious the team has an abundance of young, talented players and experienced players. The major target for me is to bring more balance into the team. Even yesterday we conceded two and needed three to win. We concede on average two a game and this is too much.
“I want to bring more balance and more control. Yesterday’s game, for me as the future coach, they are not the games you need. I will try and bring these outstanding, talented players away from their own goal.”
RALF’S RED DEVILS
Ralf Rangnick has explained his vision for Man United.
He said: “”It can only go game by game, step by step.
“You have to make sure you have the biggest chance to win the next game then step by step.
“Let the players follow and buy into the idea that I can offer them on how we want to play in the future.
“Pep has been at City for three years, Jurgen for five, Thomas only came in February, but in time-wise, they’re a little ahead of us in the way they want to develop.
“I’m more than happy with the players we have here.”
JANUARY BLUES
Ralf Rangnick has admitted that it will be ‘difficult’ to sign good players in January.
He said: “”We haven’t spoken about new players.
“Now is the time to get to know the current squad in detail, the squad is definitely not too small.
“There is enough players.
“Maybe after Christmas, there will be a time to talk about possible transfers in the winter.
“In my experience, winter is not the time for sustainable transfers. It will be difficult in the winter.”
MIKE DROP
Ralf Rangnick has admitted that he tried to convince Michael Carrick to stay on at Man United.
He said: “”Michael, I got to know this two days ago.
“I met with Michael and Kieran, I had a long private conversation for more than an hour.
“I tried to convince him to stay, in the end, I had to accept that.
“I’m more than happy to work with the current coaching staff, I need their expertise.
“I will try to find two or three people that will join us in the coming weeks, but due to Brexit, it’s not that easy.”
FERGIE TIME
Ralf Rangnick has offered his thoughts on Man United’s lack of success in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson years.
He said: “”It’s not unusual that after along. successful spell, the club needs to find a new pathway.
“The club has had no continuity in signing new players and sticking to the DNA of the club.
“In the future, the board members and my self have the same opinion. It’s important not to have many changes in management.”
Ralf Rangnick was in attendance at last night’s match KING RALF
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick hasn’t ruled out staying on as Manchester United manager beyond the end of the season.
He said: “The people with whom I’ve spoken with, they have been very clear that it is a six-month role.
“We have never spoken about what will happen in the summer. If they will speak about me with that, we will see.
“If they ask me about my opinion, I might make the same recommendation that I did at RB Leipzig twice, that it might be better to work with me for one year.”
THREE NOT EASY
Ralf Rangnick has admitted that it will be difficult to chase down the Premier League’s top three.
He said: “”It’s about winning games and, in the end, I’m very ambitious.
“We want to make the most successful season that is possible.
“Right now, we have to be realistic.
“The difference between us and the top three is big. But let’s see.”
‘JUST TOO MUCH’
New Man United boss Ralf Rangnick wants to bring more ‘balance’ to the team.
He said: “”The major target for me is just to bring more balance to the team.
“We conceded two goals yesterday and if you look at the total of number of goals conceded, it is on average of two a game. That is just too much.
“Those are not the kind of games you need every day.
“In football to me, it’s to minimise the coincidence factor.”
RANGNICK SPEAKS
Ralf Rangnick has explained why he joined Man United after rejecting Chelsea last season.
He said: “”At the time, when Chelsea contacted me, they only talked about the option to become interim manager for four months.
“We’re talking about six and a half months [at United] and we also have a two-year advisory role.
“If Manchester United contact you for such role then you can’t turn it down.”
FEEL THE BRUN
Bruno Fernandes has called on Man United to build momentum from last night’s 3-2 victory over Arsenal.
The Portuguese, who netted his side’s first goal, told Amazon Prime Video: “Every win is important for us at this moment.
“We know that we have been through a lot of ups and downs, and it has been hard for us to come out of that.
“Today we got a great win, but we cannot stop here and be satisfied because we beat Arsenal. The next game is coming quick, so we have to put our heads on that straight away and be ready for that one.”
SOL DESTROYING
Michael Carrick admitted that ‘loyalty to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’ was part of the reason he decided to leave Man United.
Quizzed if the Norwegian’s departure was a factor, he said: “A little bit yeah, of course it was because I owe Ole an awful lot.
“There’s a lot of things that have come into my decision it wasn’t an easy one and I just said to the players and the staff the way we’ve worked together – good, good people in there.
“Sometimes, you get what you deserve, sometimes you don’t. I’ve worked so hard to try and bring some success here in recent years.
“It’s hard to take, when you don’t quite get to them heights, but great times, great memories.
“I’m proud of the players over the last three games and, tonight, they gave everything and in some ways, it was the perfect night, but it’s not about me it’s about the players and the club.”
BOTTOM THIERR
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry likened David de Gea to an 11-year-old after the Spaniard stayed down while Emile Smith Rowe put the Gunners 1-0 up at Old Trafford last night.
The Frenchman said: “The last time I saw that was when I was 11 and my goalkeeper went to have a sandwich and left his goal – and then we were 1-0 down.”
Fortunately for De Gea, United went on to win 3-2.
SHEAR INEPTITUDE
David de Gea has been slammed for going down too easily in Manchester United’s Premier League win over Arsenal.
The Spanish stopper went to ground in the 13th minute of Thursday night’s 3-2 victory over the Gunners after team-mate Fred accidentally stood on the back of his foot.
Emile Smith Rowe’s long-range effort whizzed past the crocked De Gea to give Arsenal the lead, although the Spaniard was back to his feet a few moments later.
And Premier League legend Alan Shearer believes the 31-year-old made a meal of the contact, saying: “I didn’t see or hear the referee blow. I didn’t see or hear a serious foul on the goalkeeper and it’s only that his own player stands on him.
“I don’t think I’m being too harsh here, but I don’t think the game has changed that much. That happens in every game, someone standing on your foot or ankle.
“With him going down like that, not a care to where the ball is, yes they hurt. But I’m not sure he should be staying down like that. He’s up on his feet a minute later anyway, so it couldn’t have hurt that much.
“There’s an argument, if there would’ve been a serious injury and he couldn’t carry on and had to be stretchered off, then there’s an argument in terms of fairness of play if Arsenal should’ve let Man Utd score.
“But he’s up on his feet a moment later. He’s walking around, he’s not limping. I think you get them in every game.”
CARR BLIMEY
Outgoing Manchester United legend Michael Carrick explained his decision to leave the club after guiding them to a 3-2 victory over Arsenal.
He said: “It wasn’t an easy decision by any stretch. Anyone that knows me knows how much I love the club.
“When you’re here you’ve got to dedicate everything and my life has revolved around this place for so long.
“I did promise my family when I finished playing we’d have some time to spend together and that never happened because I jumped into the coaching role.
“As things pan out, things happen for a reason and it felt natural to make that decision. It wasn’t easy but I’m not going anywhere.
“I’ll still be around supporting the boys here and away. My son’s desperate to go to the away days, supporting the boys.
“I’ve told them I’m doing that and I’ll be supporting them. But yeah it’s the right thing to do for me and my family.”
THAT’S ALL FROM MANCHESTER!
Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-2 in an absolute thriller of a match at Old Trafford.
The Gunners opened the scoring with one of the most controversial goals in Premier League history after just 13 minutes.
David de Gea got hurt when Fred inadvertently stepped on his heel during a corner-kick and Emile Smith Rowe noticed the net open so he fired a shot from the edge of the box.
After a long VAR consultation, referee Martin Atkinson awarded the goal to the north Londoners as his whistle went off after the ball crossed the line.
United were furious but equalised just a minute before half-time when Jadon Sancho broke from the left and found Fred, who redeemed himself with a brilliant flick towards Bruno Fernandes that allowed him to score on his 100th appearance for the club.
The hosts turned things around on 52 minutes when the visitors left plenty of space open down the right and that allowed Marcus Rashford to set Cristiano Ronaldo up for his 800th career goal.
But Mikel Arteta’s men responded just two minutes later when Alex Telles forgot Gabriel Martinelli down the right flank and the forward passed to Martin Odegaard in the box from where he equalised.
Odegaard, though, turned into a somewhat tragic figure soon after as he fouled Fred inside his own box and referee Atkinson pointed at the spot after checking with the VAR monitor.
Ronaldo beat Aaron Ramsdale in the 70th minute with a composed finish that gave United a huge victory and limped off with a knock during the closing moments.
That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a great night!
GETTY IMAGES ARTETA REACTS
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his team deserved more out of the game with Manchester United.
Arteta told Amazon Prime: “I think we’ve come a long way since the game at Anfield.
“We had a period after the goal where we just kept giving the ball away in dangerous areas.
“If you look at the game you would say we deserved much more than we got but you get punished against this level of opponent”
GETTY IMAGES
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
