https:\/\/twitter.com\/StanSportFC\/status\/1463233104793858049?s=20<\/a><\/p>\n Solskjaer is now gone, fired following a run of woeful results that culminated in a humiliating 4-1 loss at Watford in the Premier League on Monday (AEDT).<\/a><\/p>\n Carrick, one of Solskjaer's assistants, is filling in as a replacement until a more long term interim is found and he put his stamp on the team by dropping Bruno Fernandes and starting Donny van de Beek.<\/p>\n Carrick oversaw a disciplined if limited performance by United until Ronaldo sparked an explosive ending with his 140th goal in the competition.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> The extraordinary new twist in United legend's sacking<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Solskjaer fired by United after humiliating Watford loss<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Aussie superstar Kerr among top 13 players in the world<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n He has scored in all five group stage matches this season.<\/p>\n United moved onto 10 points, three more than Villarreal, and are guaranteed of advancing as the winner of Group F thanks to Atalanta drawing 3-3 at Young Boys.<\/p>\n Villarreal can finish tied on points with United but has an inferior head-to-head record, which is the tiebreaker.<\/p>\n Whether Carrick will still be in charge in the last 16 remains to be seen, but he has made a strong start to his interim tenure – even if David De Gea kept United in the game with two great saves to deny Manu Trigueros either side of halftime.<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n In the first half, United sat off Villarreal and was opened up at times, with Ronaldo virtually anonymous playing mostly on the left of a front three with Sancho on the right and Anthony Martial.<\/p>\n He came to life in the second half and his goal was stunning after Fred dispossessed Etienne Capoue following an ill advised pass out from the back by goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.<\/p>\n Ronaldo swivelled and placed his right footed lob over Rulli just inside the near post.<\/p>\n Fred also sparked the break that was finished by Sancho in ruthless fashion following a lay off from Fernandes, who came off the bench in the 66th.<\/p>\n "It's massive for our season," United captain Harry Maguire said.<\/p>\n "The last couple of months have been nowhere near good enough and we needed to get a result for our season and our fans. We need to make sure that's just the start and we push on."<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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