Michael Carrick lauded Cristiano Ronaldo's professionalism during his 10-day stint as the Manchester United caretaker manager and thanked him for the 'perfect ending'.
Ronaldo struck the winners in both of Carrick's victories in charge against Villarreal in the Champions League and the 3-2 comeback against Arsenal on Thursday night.
Carrick surprisingly dropped Ronaldo to the bench for the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday but the 36-year-old returned to the XI against Arsenal and scored twice to take his tally for the season to 12 goals. Minutes after the final whistle, United confirmed Carrick's departure after 15-and-a-half years with the club.
Ronaldo and Carrick were teammates for three seasons when United won three successive Premier League titles between 2006-09, as well as the Champions League and Club World Cup, and Carrick was glad to have been reunited with the Portuguese as a coach.
"It's been great to see how he's developed and matured," Carrick said. "He was a lot younger (when they were teammates), as we all were, and to see how he's gone full circle and, not quite yet in his career, but is coming towards the later stages, just seeing how he goes about his business, his mentality, his attitude, his quality, to score so many goals, it's incredible.
"He's been terrific this week, especially for me, the things I've asked of him and the way he's gone about his business around the place, he's been absolutely top drawer.
"No surprise he goes and scores again tonight. Perfect ending really."
