Cristiano Ronaldo came in with Manchester United leading Arsenal 1-0, and despite Bukayo Saka’s equalizer, United went on to win 3-1.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag felt Cristiano Ronaldo‘s debut gave them greater attacking freedom as they handed Premier League leaders Arsenal their first defeat of the season.
Ronaldo replaced Jadon Sancho in the 58th minute with United leading 1-0, and Bukayo Saka equalized two minutes later.
Arsenal was level for barely six minutes when Bruno Fernandes sent Marcus Rashford to reclaim United’s lead, and the academy graduate struck again in the 75th minute.
Rashford was relocated to the left wing to accommodate Ronaldo, who had his most productive outing of the season as the center-forward.
When asked what the thinking was behind moving Rashford, Ten Hag said: “It can also do it from the right, you bring in Cristiano Ronaldo as a frontman.
“Marcus did as a nine and from the wing, he played like Christian Eriksen, a pressing game, he transferred really good, but we expect from him a way of playing as a striker to be the target, drop in, play over, linking, arriving in the box and scoring goals.
“I’m delighted with his performance, it shows his development and room for improvement, but he’s got such great capabilities, I’m happy with him in the team.”
United have won four straight games for the first time since April 2021, and they are now only three points behind the Premier League lead. Their European tour begins on Thursday with a visit from Real Sociedad, followed by a trip to Crystal Palace the following Sunday.
“We must continue to push,” Ten Hag stated. “We have to do better, there’s a lot of opportunity for improvement from the start of the season, we have to work hard every day, and everyone has to offer their best to Carrington.”
“I understand supporters’ dreams; Man United‘s standards must be high; we’re at the start of a process; we’re still a long way away; we must do things far better than we do; that’s an investment.”
“We have to do it every day as a team, bring those high standards to Carrington, and we have to improve if we want to win trophies in the end.” We have to win every game, and they have to see that the game is starting and that we have to win games.”
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