Manchester United can only be holding onto their cup form amid a underwhelming season and almost ‘write-off’ domestic campaign under new manager Ruben Amorim. Their group stage has been strong thus far however as they remain unbeaten in their current results. A tricky home tie against a raucous Rangers side however posed an interesting proposition, as United were relying on a late European moment of drama to boost their expectations of an automatic qualification spot.

The game was back and forth at points, and while United should have been able to see the game out comfortably for the closing stages, a late surge from the visitors seemed like points were going to be shared, until a late moment of quality (and a bit more luck) as Fernandes did what he does and saved United from a disappointing result. While several opposition fans had once again made their way into the home sections of Old Trafford, their celebrations at 1-1 were thankfully short lived as United fans can mark this as some more Old Trafford drama.

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Teams

Amorim had to utilise his still quite threadbare squad as the bench contained 3 fewer players than the visitors, and 2 of United’s subs may well still be on their way out this January. United opted for backup keeper Bayindir to start while Onana joined Heaton on the bench, while Collyer and Eriksen made up the midfield, although changes were made towards the end of the game, as United looked to hold onto their lead, and then reclaim their lead in the closing moments.

For Rangers, they called upon their bench late as they looked to get back into the game, and through one of their substitutes they did draw level late on as it appeared that both teams would share the points. With Dessers among a few attack minded changes made in the closing stages, Rangers pushed to get something from a big clash in the group stage.

Manchester United: Bayindir, Martinez, De Ligt (Maguire 46′), Yoro (Malacia 55′), Dalot, Eriksen (Mainoo 73′), Collyer (Ugarte 73′), Amad, Fernandes, Garnacho, Zirkzee (Hojlund 82′)

Subs: Onana, Heaton, Casemiro, Antony

Rangers: Butland, Jefte, Propper, Balogun (Rice 46′), Tavernier, Raskin, Barron (McCausland 46′), Yilmaz (King 90′), Bajrami (Dessers 71′), Cerny (Curtis 59′), Igamane

Subs: Kelly, Munn, Hutton, Dowell, Nsio, Lawrence, Lovelace

Manchester United 2-1 Rangers

Manchester United edged closer to the Europa League Round of 16 with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Rangers at Old Trafford on Thursday night. In a match marked by late drama, captain Bruno Fernandes delivered a stoppage-time winner, just moments after Cyriel Dessers had drawn Rangers level with a stunning strike in the 88th minute. The result lifts United to fourth in the league phase standings with 15 points, leaving them in prime position to secure automatic qualification with a positive result in their final group game against FCSB next week.

United dominated early proceedings and thought they had taken the lead in the first half when Matthijs de Ligt headed home from a corner, only for the goal to be controversially ruled out for a foul by Leny Yoro . The breakthrough came in the 52nd minute when Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland misjudged Christian Eriksen’s corner, inadvertently punching the ball into his own net . Despite United’s control, Rangers remained a threat and capitalized on a lapse in concentration when substitute Dessers expertly controlled James Tavernier’s long pass and fired past Altay Bayındır to equalize.

However, United’s resilience shone through in stoppage time. Lisandro Martínez delivered a precise cross to the far post, where Fernandes met it with a first-time volley that slipped through Butland’s legs, sealing a vital win for the hosts . The victory not only extended United’s unbeaten run in Europe this season but also provided a morale boost following recent domestic struggles. For Rangers, the defeat was a harsh blow, leaving them in 13th place and needing a win in their final match against Union Saint-Gilloise to keep their hopes of automatic progression alive.

Talking Points

Manchester United once again demonstrated their growing European resilience with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Rangers at Old Trafford. Despite a patchy domestic campaign, Ruben Amorim’s side showed character and composure when it mattered most, digging deep in the closing stages to snatch all three points. With Bruno Fernandes stepping up in stoppage time to convert Lisandro Martínez’s searching ball into a dramatic winner, United proved they can grind out results when under pressure, an increasingly important trait in knockout-style European fixtures.

However, the hosts were aided significantly by a night to forget for Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland. The former England international gifted United the opener early in the second half when he inexplicably punched Christian Eriksen’s corner into his own net under no real pressure. While Rangers responded with a superbly taken equalizer by Cyriel Dessers late on, Butland was again at fault for the decisive goal, allowing Fernandes’ volley to squirm beneath his body. United may have enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, but they’ll know the score line hinged as much on Rangers’ defensive lapses as it did their own attacking intent.

The win leaves Manchester United well placed in their Europa League group, sitting fourth with 15 points and just one game remaining. A draw or win in their final fixture away at FCSB will confirm automatic progression to the Round of 16, sparing them the extra play-off hurdle. With momentum now building in Europe, Amorim will hope this victory serves as a springboard for a strong finish in the league phase, and perhaps a more convincing overall campaign on the continent.