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.

Captain Patrick Vieira headed Arsenal into an eighth minute lead, before Ryan Giggs 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 3-1, Portsmouth were 2-1 winners against Middlesbrough and 10-man Crystal Palace drew 2-2 at West Bromwich Albion.

• Complete football coverage