It is stainless. Now 36, the Portuguese striker continues to mark the spirits. Author of a double, Thursday, December 2, against Arsenal, he signed his 800th and 801st career goals and allows Manchester United to pick up the group of pursuers thanks to his victory, on the 14th day of the Premier League.
With 21 points, the Red Devils are still only 7th in the standings, but they are only 3 points behind 4th, West Ham, who is the last virtual qualifier for the Champions League. This setback is, however, a setback for Arsenal (5th, 23 pts) and a second setback against a rival, after the 4-0 inflicted by Liverpool.
The match, apart from the Portuguese’s double, had its share of rebounding and will certainly have been very instructive, both good and bad for Ralf Rangnick, present in the stands but who will now take the team in hand.
The opener will go down in history as one of the most curious goals ever awarded in the Premier League. On a corner, Fred walked on the heel of David De Gea who collapsed and the ball, clear, returned to Emile Smith-Rowe, at the entrance to the area, who sent a rather soft shot but which ended up at the back of the net (0-1, 13th).
GOAL Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal (13 mins)
Emile Smith-Rowe volleys Arsenal ahead from the edge of the box. David De Gea went down in the build-up, but after a VAR review, the goal has been awarded.#MUNARS
– Premier League (@premierleague) December 2, 2021
This boost of fate unfortunately had the effect of completely foiling the Gunners who, as already seen far too often under Mikel Arteta, tried to manage for 77 minutes rather than drive the point home.
The Red Devils took the opportunity to get back in the saddle and were rewarded just before the break when a subtle pass from Jadon Sancho to Fred knocked out three players in the box before the Brazilian passed to Bruno Fernandes who equalized from the flat of the foot (1-1, 44th).
After an uneven but lively second period, Manchester United had the last word thanks to his providential man, Cristiano Ronaldo.
First upon receipt of a perfect cross from Marcus Rashford at ground level, to score flat with his foot (2-1, 52nd), he then transformed a penalty obtained by Fred, full center (3-2, 70th). In the meantime, Martin Oodegard, at fault on the decisive penalty, had equalized at 2-2, with a nice flat foot placed (54th).