Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag brought on Cristiano Ronaldo in the 57th minute against Arsenal, replacing Antony.
A couple of minutes later Arsenal equalised, and it was fair to wonder if Ten Hag would have taken the substitution back. That didn’t prove to be the case.
Cristiano Ronaldo went on to play a key role as Manchester United took back control of the game, going on to win 3-1.
It was clear Ronaldo came on with specific instructions from Ten Hag, which paid off as Arsenal played right into United’s hands.
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Ronaldo plays key role
Even with no goal or assist attached to Cristiano Ronaldo’s stat-sheet, the Portuguese superstar played a key role in a United win.
His movement helped draw Arsenal’s defence and midfield towards him, allowing Marcus Rashford to play a high line up front, and United picked off the Gunners on the counter-attack.
Ronaldo’s running off the ball in his own half pressured Arsenal into giving the ball away in the lead up to to Rashford’s first goal, proving he can press.
Ronaldo made 15 touches in 30 minutes, winning three out of three aerial duels. His movement was excellent as he drifted wide, shifting Arsenal’s defensive focus and pressuring them off the ball, while Rashford posed problems for the centre-backs, leading the line.
Often last season when Ronaldo tried to drop deep, there was nobody up front. Rashford made sure to stay high, using his pace to threaten on the counter.
This allowed spaces for Bruno Fernandes to pick out runners with through balls, sending Rashford free for the second, and Eriksen for the third, before he squared to Rashford.
Ronaldo came close to adding a fourth late on, only for his shot to be blocked. That would have capped another promising substitute performance.
The 37-year-old has only started one Premier League game all season, and with the transfer window closed, he can refocus his attentions on helping Manchester United.
He was seen celebrating on the bench when Antony scored the opener against Arsenal, and he was the first substitute sent on by Erik ten Hag.
The manager will have been delighted with his contribution, and Manchester United may not have won so easily without him.
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