Cristiano Ronaldo scored another winner for Manchester United on Saturday, with his penalty helping Ralf Rangnick's side squeak past Norwich City.
The result kept the Red Devils ahead of Arsenal, who they beat earlier in the month to start their current winning run, and Gunners fan Piers Morgan has revealed the Portugal forward was apologetic after that 3-2 victory.
Morgan, who interviewed Ronaldo before the veteran returned to Old Trafford from Juventus, and has continued to comment on the player's progress despite him playing for one of Arsenal's rivals once more.
The former Good Morning Britain host also claims to have shared texts with Ronaldo earlier this month, with United's victory over Mikel Arteta's side at the centre of their exchange.
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Ronaldo's two goals against Arsenal included the 800th of his career to put United 2-1 ahead, followed by number 801 from the penalty spot to give his team victory.
United's two subsequent victories, combined with Arsenal's defeat against Everton, mean Rangnick's side sit a point clear of their rivals.
Morgan has shared details of the apology he received after the game in his column for The Mail, explaining why he was in no rush to accept it.
"Arsenal played Manchester United [on December 2] and I sent Cristiano Ronaldo a desperate plea before kick-off: "Please don’t score against us…"," wrote Morgan.
"Of course, he scored twice, and United won 3-2. "Sorry," Cristiano texted back after the final whistle.
"I would have accepted the apology if it hadn’t also contained a laughing emoji."
Morgan had previously discovered how close Ronaldo was to joining Arsenal before opting for a move to Old Trafford as a teenager, with the player apologising on that occasion as well and saying "I appreciate what they did for me, especially Arsene Wenger ".
Arsenal beat Southampton 3-0 over the weekend, putting the ball in United's court ahead of their trip to Carrow Road.
However, after a goalless first half., Ronaldo went down under a challenge from Max Aarons to win a penalty and beat Tim Krul from the spot.
The result leaves the Manchester club a point behind fourth-place West Ham United, who drew with Burnley on Sunday, while Arsenal are a point further back.
Arteta's team take on the Hammers at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, by which point United could be in fourth themselves.
Rangnick's team are in action before their rivals during a full midweek programme, travelling to London for an away game against Brentford.
Ronaldo has scored seven goals in the league this season, two more than any Arsenal player, with only three Premier League players finding the net more times than the former Real Madrid man.
