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
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Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
39. Igamane looks to shoot from just outside the box.
It takes a huge deflection off Martinez and is heading into the bottom corner of the goal.
Bayindir does well to grt across his goal and tip it around the post for a corner.
Credit: Getty Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
37. Big chance for Man Utd.
Fernandes slots a ball through the defence for Amad to run onto.
With the goal in his sights, he gets his shot away but Butland is quick off his line and makes a superb block.
View from SunSport's Ken Lawrence at Old Trafford
A giant poster proclaiming Denis Law – The King was unfurled on the Stretford End just before kick – off amidst a raucous atmosphere pumped up by Rangers fans packed into the away section and giving it full voice.
They had plenty to cheer about once the whistle went to, as Philippe Clement’s side, like so many this season spent most of the first 15 minutes knifing through United’s soft centre.
It comprised of veteran Christian Eriksen and in Toby Collyer, 21, someone making taking his first steps in European football albeit against Scottish invaders.
Boss Ruben Amorim suffering on the sidelines again…
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
35. Clement will be pleased with the start his side have made.
It has been a very even game and his team have matched Man Utd in all areas of the pitch.
More importantly, they have got forward a lot and shown the hosts that they are a danger on the counter-attack.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
33. Bayindir does well to punch the ball clear.
As it is hacked away, Amad kills it dead with a sublime touch.
He is bundled over and wins a free kick for the hosts.
Garnacho is looking full of life this evening, he is playing like his Chelsea move is dependant on it.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
31. Cerny looks to take on Dalot but has to settle for a corner.
Rangers send the big men up for this one.
As the cross comes in, it is flicked on at the near post by Dalot and goes out for another corner.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
29. The visitors come forward again.
As a deep cross is swung into the box, Yilmaz does brilliantly to take it down in one touch.
Fortunately for the Red Devils, the flag immediately goes up for offside.
Credit: Reuters Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
27. Rangers need to take advantage of that moment.
They could easily be a goal down here, to score themselves would really test the mental strength of the hosts now.
Eriksen is getting into pockets of space a lot in the early stages, with his ability to pick a pass, he could hurt the visitors.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
25. Rangers really get away with one there.
Looking at the replay it was a very soft foul.
However, once the referee has decided to disallow the goal there is not enough in it for VAR to overrule the onfield decision.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
23. Garnacho runs at the Rangers defence and lays it off to Dalot.
He cuts it back and it deflects into the path of the Argentine with the goal in his sights.
He gets a shot away but it is headed over the bar by the defender.
From the resulting corner de Ligt heads home but the referee immediately awards a free kick for a foul.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
21. The visitors are not looking daunted by this game at all.
When they come forward, they are passing it around and looking confident of breaking the hosts down.
You do feel with the chances created already, they cannot afford to keep spurning these.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
19. Both of these sides are well placed in the league to progress to the next round.
However, defeat could put that in some doubt.
Progress to the latter stages is a must for both teams.
Credit: PA Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
17. It has been a good start to the game.
Both sides look keen to get forward whenever the chance presents itself.
Although it is very cliche, the first goal will dictate how this game pans out.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
15. Man Utd win their first corner of the game.
A chance to put the Rangers defence under some pressure.
With a wall of players in front of him, Butland cannot come to win it but his defenders do a good job for him and clear their lines.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
13. Rangers have another chance as a deep cross finds Yilmaz unmarked at the back post.
He hits on the volley but looks to side foot it rather than put his boot through it.
It is straight at Bayindir who parries it away.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
11. Big chance for the visitors.
A poor first touch from Igamane allows Bayindir to close him down.
His shot is blocked but gets the travelling fans going.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
9. There is not an empty seat in the house tonight.
Much loved Scottish former manager Alex Ferguson is in attendance as well.
Despite losing his role as club ambassador, nothing will keep him away from the club he cherishes.
Credit: PA Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
7. Rangers look to come forward on the counter.
It looks promising until a loose pass gifts possession back to the hosts.
The visitors know they will have to absorb pressure from the Red Devils this evening and have to be clinical with any chances they can create.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
5. Man Utd are getting their passing game going.
Looking to exploit the flanks and stretch Rangers.
Eriksen drills a low cross into the box but Balogun clears.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
3. Garnacho drops his shoulder and cuts inside Tavernier.
He has nothing on his mind other than getting a shot away.
It is straight at Butland and he makes a routine save.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
1. Garnacho receives the ball out wide and looks for support.
It will be an interesting battle between him and Tavernier this evening.
Amorim's side are starting on the front foot, looking to take the game to the visitors.
Kick-off: Man Utd vs Rangers
We are underway at Old Trafford.
It is a cauldron of noise here this evening.
Rangers get the game started.
Chance to answer their critics
With everyone still waiting to see the Ruben Amorim effect on this team, tonight they can go out and prove a point.
Their manager was critical of them after their recent defeat against Brighton, we will see just what these players are made of now.
The type of player you want at your football club would go into this game with a hunger to prove people wrong and show just what they are all about.
Rangers with big following in Manchester
It is an electric atmosphere at Old Trafford tonight.
The Scottish side have brought a lot of fans down for this crunch match in the Europa League.
Let's hope the players show some of the passion of the supporters, if they do, this could be some game.
View from SunSport's Ken Lawrence at Old Trafford
They may be calling this meeting the Battle of Britain but on current league form neither Manchester United nor Rangers could punch their way out of a paper bag far less go to war with the opposition.
The fallen Glaswegian giants hardly set the heather on fire when they come south of the border either.
They’ve won just one of their last eight European games on English soil - against - a 2-1 success over Leeds United in qualifying for the 1992-93 Champions League.
Except they are up against a Ruben Amorim team that has been shooting itself in the foot since he took over 15 games ago – winning only five of them.
Both sides need points to maintain their Europa League ambitions but if Amorim loses this one with what he calls “the worst United side in history” another TV screen might get a booting.