Cristiano Ronaldo has brilliantly broken several goalscoring records in his career, across his clubs and country, so far. However, the Portuguese hasn’t been at his prolific best at Old Trafford against Arsenal. In fact, he has scored just one goal at home against the Gunners, and that was back in April 2008. So, for when United host the Gunners at Old Trafford on Friday, among Premier League football news, we offer you the fact that Ronaldo only has one goal against Arsenal, and other related trivia.
Although Ralph Rangnick has joined Manchester United as the interim manager, he will not be in the dugout against Arsenal. Confirming his role for six months of 2021-22 (football transfers), Rangnick still awaits his work permit, though.
So, Michael Carrick will oversee his third game in charge as caretaker manager after the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
And he has a tough task at hand as Arsenal have surprisingly won four of their last five games. In fact, Mikel Arteta’s men have even leapfrogged United in the league table.
So, the Red Devils must try for all three points here to have any chance of finishing in the top-four.
But it is alarming to remember that United are winless in their last six Premier League meetings with Arsenal.
Plus, they’ve never gone seven league games without a win against the Gunners before.
So, if they fail to pick up full points, it will be an embarrassing record that they will inadvertently set.
Ronaldo Only Has One Goal against Arsenal, and Other Related Trivia
When Ronaldo scored his singular home goal for Manchester United against Arsenal, Emmanuel Adebayor opened the scoring at 48 minutes.
And it was Ronaldo who equalised from the penalty spot five minutes later.
Then, United went on to win the match as Owen Hargreaves scored the winning 2-1 goal in the 72nd minute.
If Ronaldo scores against Arsenal at the Theatre of Dreams on Friday, then he’ll be doing so after 4982 days.
Now, let us have a look at five other interesting stats regarding the mouth-watering clash between Manchester United and Arsenal:
- Following their 1-0 win at Old Trafford last season, Arsenal may win two consecutive away league games against Manchester United. If they do succeed in doing so, it will be for the first time since February 1979.
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three meetings with the Red Devils across all competitions. They’ve never kept a clean sheet in four consecutive games against Manchester United before, but will be hoping to now.
- Each of the last eight Premier League goals at Old Trafford have been from other teams scoring against Manchester United. And the Red Devils have never previously conceded nine consecutive goals at their home ground in EPL on without replying themselves.
- But Arsenal’s tally of away goals (3) in the Premier League is dismal this season. It’s the lowest the Gunners have ever scored after six away games in a league season.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored in his last two away league games against Manchester United. Could he become the first-ever Arsenal player to score in three consecutive away games against the Red Devils?
