Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo [ Images ] scored two goals in four minutes to rally Manchester United [ Images ] to a thrilling 4-2 victory over champions Arsenal [ Images ] at Highbury on Tuesday.

United had to play the last 21 minutes with 10 men after French defender Mikael Silvestre was shown the red card, but were not to be denied a famous victory that propelled them into second place in the Premier League behind runaway leaders Chelsea [ Images ].

Captain Patrick Vieira headed Arsenal into an eighth minute lead, before Ryan Giggs [ Images ] levelled for United 10 minutes later with a deflected shot.

Dennis Bergkamp, who displayed good form, restored Arsenal's lead ten minutes before the break.

But Ronaldo's goals in the 54th and 58th minutes, along with an 88th-minute strike by substitute John O'Shea, completed a United double over the champions, after Arsenal's record 49-match unbeaten league run ended in a 2-0 away defeat in October.

In the night's other games, Liverpool won 2-1 at Charlton Athletic, Bolton Wanderers beat Tottenham Hotspur [ Images ] 3-1, Portsmouth were 2-1 winners against Middlesbrough and 10-man Crystal Palace drew 2-2 at West Bromwich Albion [ Images ].