Carrick hails resolute Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo showed why he is probably the best player in the world with his twice-taken penalty against Arsenal, according to Michael Carrick.

After beating Jens Lehmann emphatically the first time, Ronaldo was ordered to retake his spot-kick and showed superb poise to put his second effort in the same place – low to Lehmann's right.

That brought United level after Emmanuel Adebayor’s opener early in the second half, and gave the Reds the platform to claim a vital victory through Owen Hargreaves’ free-kick.

Carrick told MUTV: “Ronny dealt with the pressure very well. It was a terrific penalty and that’s what top players do under pressure. They raise their game and produce the goods.

“Then Owen stepped up and hit a tremendous free-kick. We’ve seen him do it many times in training and I was pretty confident that he was going to take that and score.”

Carrick recognises the significance of the win, both in extending United’s lead over Chelsea at the top to six points and all but ending Arsenal’s title hopes. But he knows another tough game awaits the Reds at Blackburn next week.

“You could see by the celebrations how much it meant to us,” the midfielder added. “It was a tough game – one of the hardest ones we’ve had all season.

“We’re in control of the situation now and next week’s another huge game for us, so we’ll rest and get ready for that this week.”