Manchester United bounced back from conceding a freak goal to beat Arsenal at Old Trafford as Cristiano Ronaldo broke the 800-goal barrier in a remarkable career.

A dramatic night ended with United caretaker manager Michael Carrick announcing that he is leaving the club with immediate effect as he handed over the reins to interim boss Ralf Rangnick.

Ronaldo’s double took his tally to 801 goals and made sure Carrick signed off in style after Arsenal had taken a bizarre lead when Emile Smith-Rowe scored in an unguarded net with goalkeeper David de Gea down injured.

‘At least I don’t have to talk too much about the Arsenal goal because we could have been here all night,’ smiled Carrick. ‘If it had been the winning goal it would have been a different conversation. Very strange.’

Midfielder Bruno Fernandes thought that referee Martin Atkinson should have stopped the game after teammate Fred trod on De Gea’s ankle.

‘Normally when the keeper goes down, we should stop the game but mistakes happen. I don’t know if the referee made a mistake but we have to carry on,’ said Fernandes.

Not surprisingly, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta thought the goal should have stood. ‘We didn’t know what to expect but the referee and VAR checked and it’s a goal,’ he said.

Carrick paid tribute to Ronaldo having sprung a surprise by dropping the Portugal star at Chelsea last weekend.

‘Cristiano been unbelievable this week,’ he added. ‘He didn’t start against Chelsea but it wasn’t a big deal for us. The way he was on board with and the way he was around the group, he was incredible. It’s no surprise he goes and scores again tonight – the perfect ending really.’

Rangnick will take over today (fri) after securing his work permit and he watched from the stands last night.

Carrick hands over after winning two and drawing one of his three games and in charge, but insisted the decision was entirely his.