Ronaldo wins the points in an extravagant match

The Portuguese scored twice in Manchester United’s win over Arsenal, in a bizarre game in which the Londoners opened the scoring with David De Gea hurting on the pitch. Michael Carrick led the locals under the watchful eye of Ralf Rangnick, the coach who will take over from Sunday.

When many things happen in a game, it is said that he had everything. At Old Trafford, there was no show of quality, no particularly stable systems. Few things remarkable at a tactical or technical level. Of course, many things happened. There was controversy, tension, comings and goings, a man who jumped onto the grass to take a selfie with Ronaldo, deflated balls (more than anyone would expect on a date like this), a handful of goals and lots of entertainment. It was as extravagant a duel as the recent past for both teams. Like your present. It was feared that both teams would go out to wait, withdrawn and not take risks. But they did. From the start, Manchester United and Arsenal wanted the points, as when Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger sat on opposite benches. But the Red Devils and Gunners no longer dispute titles, but fourth places.

It was soon seen that it would not be a normal encounter. And it wasn’t. Nor was it the way the can was opened. After a corner kick, Emile Smith Rowe scored from outside the area with David De Gea hurting on the ground. Martin Atkinson overruled the goal and stopped the game until the goalkeeper recovered. Four minutes during which the VAR had time to confirm that there was no foul, and that the referee had whistled after the Arsenal attacker’s shot. It was worth the goal. With Michael Carrick at the helm, Manchester United had found some defensive organization, from which they built a victory at Pottery Stadium and at Stamford Bridge. That trick was no longer worth it, and they had to take a step forward in search of a tie. The ones in red gave it, but without words of encouragement, but with gestures and looks full of frustration. With rage, like that shown by Bruno Fernandes in the celebration of the tie, on the brink of halftime. Manchester United found spaces in a populated area, with fast passes. From Jadon Sancho to Fred, and from Fred to Fernandes, who did not miss point blank.

The second half started the same as the first. With two teams looking for the goal and with two goalkeepers earning their salary. David De Gea and Aaron Ramsdale had work, but the many ended up arriving. Soon, too. At minute 51, Marcus Rashford found the space to advance down the right wing, and to pass the ball to the center of the area. From there, Ronaldo scored 2-1. Only three minutes later, Arsena responded to Manchester United with the same medicine. Thomas Partey found Gabriel Martinelli on the right wing, and he found Martin Odergaard in the center. 2-2. The Norwegian would be the protagonist again, knocking Fred down inside the area twenty minutes from the end. He came from behind, penalty without discussion. Nor is there any on the launch with which Ronaldo won the points for his team. Powerful and through the center.

Both teams won in confidence, dodging rival pressure with fast and short passes. With speed to overcome rivals. Arsenal pushed in search of the tie, but it is Manchester United who climbs positions in the standings. When Ralf Rangnick leads his first game on Sunday, the Red Devils will be two points behind Arsenal. Two points from Europe. The German watched the game from Old Trafford, with his work permit issues resolved. Of course, the Mancunians shouldn’t mind that Michael Carrick was also directing the match against Crystal Palace. With him on the bench, Manchester United have won two games and tied one. He has not lost. But it is the hour of the relief.

Cristiano reaches 800 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo reached 800 goals in his sports career this Thursday with his goal against Arsenal at Old Trafford, on the fourteenth day of the English Premier. The Portuguese made it 2-1 by sending a shipment from Marcus Rashford to the network, which is both his 800 number as a professional. Cristiano scored five goals with Sporting de Portugal, 118 in his first stage with Manchester United, 450 with Real Madrid, 101 with Juventus, and he has 10 in this second adventure with the ‘Red Devils’. In total, at club level he has 685 goals, to which must be added the 115 he has made in his international career with Portugal, a figure that places him as the top scorer in national team football. -EFE