Man Utd 2-1 Rangers LIVE RESULT: Fernandes’ stunning finish secures late win for hosts as Red Devils close in on last 16
MANCHESTER UNITED have beaten Rangers 2-1 to put them within touching distance of the last 16 of the Europa League.
Matthijs de Ligt thought he broke the deadlock with a header from a corner, but he was adjudged to have committed a foul in the build-up.
In the second half, United did get the advantage after former Red Devil Jack Butland misjudged a Christian Eriksen corner and punched the ball into his own net.
Cyriel Dessers' outstanding touch and finish in the 88th minute looked to have secured the Scottish giants a point, but Man Utd skipper Bruno Fernandes stepped up in stoppage time to take the spoils with a stunning strike.
Man Utd’s fate is in their own hands as they travel to Bucharest to face eighth-placed FCSB in their final league phase match next Thursday.
- Match result: Man Utd 2-1 Rangers
- Man Utd team: Bayindir, De Ligt, Yoro, Martinez, Dalot, Amad, Collyer, Eriksen, Fernandes, Zirkzee, Garnacho
- Rangers team: Butland, Tavernier, Propper, Balogun, Jefte, Barron, Raskin, Ridvan, Bajrami, Cerny, Igamane
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Follow our live blog below...
Man Utd 1-0 Rangers
74. Amorim makes some more changes for the final push.
Ugarte and Mainoo replace Collyer and Eriksen.
Rangers get another shot away from the edge of the box but it is straight of Bayindir.
View from SunSport's Ken Lawrence at Old Trafford
All the jokes about Scottish goalkeepers can stop now. Jack Butland was born in Bristol.
But that didn’t stop him somehow going up to punch a corner and sending it backwards into his own net for United to go ahead.
That blunder from the former Stoke City and Crystal Palace man summed up much of the proceedings so far : schoolboy stuff that’s had its thrills thanks to plenty of spills.
Man Utd 1-0 Rangers
72. Dessers has come on for Bajrami for Rangers.
They need a goal so fresh legs could be just what they need in the final third.
Despite the score, the travelling fans are still making a lot of noise in the away end.
Credit: PA
Man Utd 1-0 Rangers
70. Both teams look to be preparing more changes.
The visitors have lost some very influential players to injury and you wonder whether their creativity in the final third has gone as well.
While the score is only one-nil, they are still very much in this game.
Man Utd 1-0 Rangers
68. Man Utd are dominating the game now.
The problem for Rangers was always going to be their injury crisis meaning they have a very inexperienced bench.
Having suffered three more injuries in the game, Clement has had to send on very young replacements.
Man Utd 1-0 Rangers
66. Eriksen puts another sublime ball into the box.
He picks out an unmarked Maguire at the back post.
Sadlt for the hosts, he heads it wide of the target.
Dreadful effort.
It came across as one of those chances where you could only miss if you close your eyes as you head it.
Man Utd 1-0 Rangers
64. Eriksen whips a free-kick into the back post.
Butland comes for it and gets a much better touch on it this time.
It runs out for another corner for the hosts.
As Amad's cross comes in, Rangers clear theiir lines.
Man Utd 1-0 Rangers
62. What a huge chance for the Red Devils to double their lead.
They are getting a lot of joy down the right flank with Amad.
He beats his man and gets to the byline before cutting it back to Garnacho in the box.
Six yards out from goal, he takes a touch to control it and gets a shot away only to see it come back off the post.
Should have scored.
Credit: EPA Man Utd 1-0 Rangers
60. Cerny seems to have picked up and injury and cannot continue.
He is replaced by 18-year-old Curtis for the visitors.
Man Utd have brought off Yoro, with Malacia coming on.
Man Utd 1-0 Rangers
58. Zirkzee looks a much better option up front for Amorim's side.
He plays the convential role where he is always offering himself as an outlet through the middle.
Hojlund spends the game everywhere but in the box.
Man Utd 1-0 Rangers
56. Man Utd will feel they deserve a bit of luck going their way.
It is up to them to capitalise on it and ensure that they win this game.
Rangers will have to gamble more now if they want to get anything out of their trip to Manchester.
Man Utd 1-0 Rangers
54. What an absolute gift for Man Utd.
As Eriksen swings in a corner, Butland comes through players to punch it clear.
He gets it all wrong and punches the ball into his own net.
Own goal - Jack Butland (Rangers)
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
50. Amad swings in a dangerous corner under the crossbar.
Butland seemed caught out by it and Igamane has to help his keeper out as he heads it off the line.
Rangers break and the ball drops to Rice in the middle of the box but he skies his effort over the target.
Credit: Alamy Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
48. The one thing you saw with Amorim's Sporting team was that looked to get forward with pace.
We have not seen that so far with his new Man Utd team.
At times it looks too laboured and patient, allowing the opposition to get numbers back.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
46. Both sides have made changes at the break.
For Rangers, Barron and Balogun picked up knocks in the first-half.
They are replaced by McCausland and Rice.
Man Utd have brought Maguire on for de Ligt.
Kick-off: Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
We are back underway at Old Trafford.
There is nothing to separate the sides as it stands.
Man Utd get the match restarted.
HT: Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
As things stand elsewhere, both of these sides are well placed in the league to progress.
They would however have to deal with a two-legged play-off to reach the final 16.
That could inspire them to look for that win to try and finish in the top eight to automatically qualify.
HT: Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
You would have to say that the scoreline is a fair reflection on the game so far.
Both teams have created chances but both keepers have done well to keep the scores level.
Man Utd will feel under more pressure to win this game, being at home, so may need to look to throw caution to the wind more.
View from SunSport's Ken Lawrence at Old Trafford
There may be a little life left in the old dog yet. It took Christian Eriksen time to settle into his holding midfield role. But his exchanges with Amad Diallo spoke only of intelligence.
Acting as one of guards in front of United’s back three just isn’t his thing and never was wherever he played.
That weakness – he didn’t pick the team remember – has continually given Rangers encouragement going in a game that has been mainly second – rate in Europe’s second – rate competition.
HT: Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
The referee brings the first-half to a close.
Both sides will rue some of the chances they have missed.
It will be interesting to see how they approach the game after the interval.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
45+2. These two teams are looking evenly matched tonight.
On paper, that shouldn't be the case with this Red Devils side have cost a lot of money to compile.
Rangers are aware of confidence levels being at an all-time low in the Man Utd camp and are looking to utilise that.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
45. Amad swings a corner in but Rangers cope well.
They are challenging for everything in the air and making it difficult for Man Utd to get anything going.
We are going to have three added minutes.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
43. Dalot swings a cross into the box but Propper heads clear.
Man Utd are dominating possession at the moment.
Martinez tries his luck from distance and catches it well, forcing Butland to palm it away from goal.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
41. The Man Utd keeper is having to earn his keep tonight.
This time a curling corner is sent in and Bayindir is at full-stretch to tip it over the crossbar.
Ridiculously the referee then awards a free kick for a foul on him.
Looking at the replay he collided with his own player.
Goalkeepers are protected too much in the modern game.