Man Utd 2 – 1 Rangers

Bruno Fernandes scored a stoppage-time winner for Manchester United as they beat Rangers 2-1 at Old Trafford despite Cyriel Dessers’ late equaliser.

The Rangers forward had looked to have secured a point for the Scottish club in the 88th minute when he sensationally bested Harry Maguire to score a beautiful goal and cancel out Jack Butland’s earlier own goal but Fernandes then volleyed in superbly to secure victory.

The points move United up to fourth in the league phase. For all their Premier League struggles, Ruben Amorim’s side are unbeaten after seven fixtures in Europe and a result away to Steaua Bucharest next week will ensure a top-eight finish that bypasses the play-off round. Rangers, now 14th, look almost sure to be in it.

Player ratings

Man Utd: Bayindir (7), De Ligt (6), Martinez (7), Yoro (6), Amad (7), Collyer (7), Eriksen (7), Dalot (6), Fernandes (7), Garnacho (7), Zirkzee (5).

Subs used: Maguire (5), Malacia (6), Ugarte (6), Mainoo (6), Hojlund (6).

Rangers: Butland (4), Tavernier (7), Propper (7), Balogun (6), Jefte (5), Barron (6), Raskin (7), Ridvan (6), Bajrami (6), Cerny (7), Igamane (6).

Subs used: Rice (6), McCausland (6), Curtis (6), Dessers (7).

Player of the match: Bruno Fernandes.

How it happened

It was Butland, a boyhood United supporter, who had looked to have provided the game’s defining moment when he punched Christian Eriksen’s corner into his own net early in the second half to seemingly undermine his side’s spirited resistance.

Jack Butland, Man Utd vs Rangers
Jack Butland, Man Utd vs Rangers
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Jack Butland’s own goal gave Manchester United the lead

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Kris Boyd reacts to Jack Butland’s howler

But Rangers, who had the better chances in the first half despite Matthijs de Ligt having a goal disallowed, kept pushing for an equaliser. They found it through Dessers’ dramatic finish to the delight of the vocal away support but there was a twist.

Cyriel Dessers thought he had secured a point for Rangers against Manchester United late on
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Cyriel Dessers thought he had secured a point for Rangers

Team news

Toby Collyer made his first European start for Manchester United, while Alejandro Garnacho was included amid speculation about his future.

Jack Butland was fit to start for Rangers, while Ridvan Yilmaz was among those who returned after being benched for the cup win over Fraserburgh.

Amorim’s comments at the weekend about this being the worst-ever United team had put the spotlight on the players but United showed character to find the winner. Lisandro Martinez’s angled ball found its way to the captain, who made no mistake.

It was cruel on Rangers but it was also a much-needed magical moment at Old Trafford for a team that had lost four of their previous five games inside this stadium. Far from convincing, of course. But still capable of making this old stadium roar with delight.

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It was joy to despair for Kris Boyd as he watched Man Utd get a late winner against Rangers

Amorim: It was a good victory

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim:

“We didn’t deserve the draw, I think it was fair for us to win the game,” said Amorim in the press conference afterwards.

Speaking to TNT Sports, he added: “We played well. There was more connection with the ball, good speed.

“We lost control of the game for seven minutes because of small, bad decisions. Even when we suffered Rangers’ goal, we were so near to the second goal and missed so many chances. But we recovered and it was a good victory.

“We are not playing our best, we are far from that, but we improved from the last game.

“The opponent is different, the speed is different, everything is different. But they tried, you can see it again. The connections, the movement, some play and we did well for the time we’ve had to train.

“We need to be more clinical in the right moments. That can help us a lot.”

De Ligt and Yoro injury concerns

De Ligt was removed at half-time and Leny Yoro was also substituted early in the second half, with Amorim revealing that both defenders had come off because of injury concerns.

“Matthijs De Ligt felt something in his leg, as did Leny Yoro. We can’t risk anything.

“I know we have to win, but we have to show the players that everybody matters.”

Clement: Everybody is gutted

Rangers boss Philippe Clement speaking in the press conference:

“I saw everybody gutted in the dressing room, disappointed that we lost after playing that kind of game. I am also [disappointed] clearly because want to win, to take the points we deserve also.

“But I am also proud of what the team did today, sticking to the plan, following the tactics with all the young players coming on the pitch. The team stayed compact, stayed well organised and stayed brave on the ball.

“We created enough chances. In the first half, we created the best chance. We went behind but did not stop believing and playing for the goal so it is very disappointing to concede the goal at the end.”

Man Utd’s win in stats

  • Manchester United scored a 90th-minute winning goal for the eighth time in major European competition, more often than any other English side.
  • Ruben Amorim is the third Manchester United manager to win each of their first three games in charge in major European competition after Matt Busby in 1956 and Alex Ferguson in 1990.
  • English teams remain unbeaten in their last 20 meetings with Scottish opposition in European competition, since Celtic beat Manchester United in the 2006-07 Champions League.
  • Manchester United have won all three of their Europa League matches under Ruben Amorim, as many wins as the Red Devils have picked up in 11 Premier League games under the Portuguese manager.

Story of the match in stats

What’s coming up in the Europa League?

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