Right, that’s definitely it for the blog. Ta-ra!

Here’s Michael Carrick

“It’s not been an easy decision to make, but I feel it’s the right one. I was meant to take some time off when I finished playing. I promised my family we’d have some time together and it hasn’t happened! I’ll be back around the place, it’s not like I’m disappearing. It’s just the right time, and what a way to finish.

“Yeah, it’s 100 per cent my decision. We’ve worked so hard to try to bring some success here in recent years, and it’s difficult when you don’t quite get to those heights. But I’ll have great memories of working with great people. I told the players just now – it’s a little bit emotional in the changing room. I held it together, just about!

“It’s not been easy to keep quiet about it for the last few days but I had a job to do. I’m not the important one here, and I was desperate to win the game for the players and the fans. It was a big night for us.

“Cristiano has been unbelievable this week. He didn’t start against Chelsea but it wasn’t a big deal for us – he’s just incredible, the way he goes about his business. There was no drama. It’s a helluva group of players in there and I really believe a successful team will emerge.

“I can’t honestly say I’ve given no thought to whether I’ll coach again. I’ve been so focussed on this game that I haven’t even thought about what I’m doing tomorrow! Whatever happens next, happens next. No agenda, nothing going on, just take a deep breath.”

This is a surprise. It sounds like it’s Carrick’s decision rather than Ralf Rangnick’s, though I’m sure we’ll find out more in the next few days.

David Hytner’s match report has landed, so I’ll leave you with that. Thanks for your company and emails - goodnight!

This also happened tonight. The race for fourth is getting lively.

That was an imperfect but richly enjoyable game. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as United - the kings of the comeback under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - recovered from Emile Smith Rowe’s bizarre early goal to secure a vital win. Bruno Fernandes was terrific, Fred even better, and Cristiano Ronaldo did nothing apart from score two goals - the first of which was his 800th (E-I-G-H-T-E-F-F-I-N-G-H-U-N-D-R-E-D-T-H) for club and country.

Arsenal shouldn’t be too perturbed - they played well for the most part and responded admirably to going 2-1 down. Ultimately they lost an end-to-end game that could have gone either way.

Peep peep! Manchester United move to within three points of fourth place after a rousing victory over Arsenal.

90+5 min A throw-in to United on the halfway line. Arsenal are almost out of time.

90+3 min “I know it’s more likely to be evolution rather than revolution under Rangnick,” says Andy Flintoff, “but your mention of Fred having a good game makes me wonder if there are more than one or two players in red tonight who are playing for their places under the new boss.”

I’d say they all are. A few of them are in trouble - Pogba, Wan-Bissaka, maybe Shaw, possibly Ronaldo and Maguire. I think Fred will be an important player for Rangnick, especially if they don’t sign Amadou Haidara in January.

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90+2 min Saka’s cross from the left is headed away well by Maguire, who makes another good interception moments later.

90 min Five minutes of added time.

89 min Donny van de Beek replaces Bruno Fernandes, who has been more like his old self tonight.

89 min “Hi Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “But apart from 800 goals, seven league titles, five Champions Leagues, five Ballons d’Or, and a European Championship, what has Ronaldo actually done?”

88 min A weary Cristiano Ronaldo is replaced by Anthony Martial.

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88 min: Great block from Tomiyasu! United break three on two from the Arsenal corner. Fred lobs a good pass to Sancho, who runs 60 yards and then tries to pick out Fernandes in the area. It’s not a great pass and, though Fernandes gets to the ball first, his shot is blocked by Tomiyasu.

87 min Tavares’s cross bounces all the way across to Saka on the far side of the area. He has a touch and hits a shot that is superbly blocked by the sliding Fred. After a farcical start, Fred has been outstanding.

85 min Lingard, who is playing as a false nine with Ronaldo on the left, hits a cross shot from a tight angle that is easily saved by Ramsdale.

83 min A tame cross from Saka goes straight to de Gea.

83 min Ronaldo robs the last man Gabriel but is penalised, rightly, for pulling his shirt. United are playing exclusively on the counter now.

79 min Changes galore. Man Utd bring on Jesse Lingard for Marcus Rashford, who had a largely poor game but did make the second goal. Arsenal bring on Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette for Martin Odegaard and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

78 min: Great chance for Aubameyang! Tomiyasu’s cross is met by Martinelli, who mistimes a volley towards goal from the edge of the area. It bounces perfectly for Aubameyang, whose shot is saved at point-blank range by de Gea. Aubameyang should have scored. He was probably just offside, though it was really tight so the goal might have stood.

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75 min Odegaard leads an Arsenal break and finds Aubameyang, whose curling shot from the edge of the area is comfortably saved to his left by de Gea. I think there was a return ball on to Odegaard, though I don’t think Aubameyang saw it. And even if he did see it, he didn’t see it.

74 min Free-kick to Arsenal 25 yards from goal, a fair way to the right of centre. Odegaard’s inswinging cross is headed behind by Lindelof.

73 min Saka is playing on the right, with Martinelli moving to the left.

73 min Bruno Fernandes was United’s penalty taker, though he JaapStammed one in the last minute of the defeat at home to Villa so it was no surprise to see Ronaldo take it tonight.

72 min The United fans celebrate with a lusty rendition of “Viva Ronaldo”. It’s been a pulsating night at Old Trafford.

71 min A change for Arsenal: Bukayo Saka is on for Emile Smith Rowe, who was again extremely impressive.

Ronaldo closes his eyes, takes a deep breath ... and then smashes the penalty straight down the middle. It’s his second goal of the night and the 801st of his career!

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Ronaldo v Ramsdale...

PENALTY GIVEN! Odegaard doesn’t complain, which tells a story.

VAR check Clattenburg Atkinson is going over to look at the monitor. It was a dumb and needless challenge from Odegaard, who didn’t get the ball and slid through the back of Fred.

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