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...
Argentine in shop window
With rumours circulating that the club are willing to let Alejandro Garnacho go in this transfer window, there are plenty of clubs looking at him.
Starting this evening for the Red Devils, Garnacho has the chance to really show what he has to offer.
Chelsea are apparently interested in the player, pushing forward with their plans to buy every player in Europe as a business model to win major silverware again.
Red Devils favourites for victory
In tonight's 'Battle of Britain' the bookies cannot see anything but a win for Ruben Amorim's side.
Man Utd - 11/20
Draw - 7/2
Rangers - 4/1
All match odds brought to you .
Amorim on Rangers
Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim told the press pre-match what he expects from tonight’s visitors.
He said: "I think we expect a tough game. We know they're going to come here and give everything. They're going to be followed with great support.
"I think they've done extremely well in the competition. We expect a tough game, but I think our focus is on ourselves and making sure that we perform on the back of a bad defeat at the weekend. We'll go there with confidence that we can perform and get the three points.
"A lot of physicality during the game. I know that some important players from Rangers don't play, and we have to know the new players to understand the way they play.
"The full-backs are really high on the pitch. They have talent to score in the final third. So one more difficult game is really important for us because we want to skip the play-off.
"It's really important to have time to train, so I expect the same thing that we faced in the last game. It's a really tough match. A lot of physicality.
"Also, the fans from Rangers are making some noise, so we are prepared. Our fans are prepared if we want to win."
Rashford latest
Borussia Dortmund have been priced out of buying Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, according to reports.
It means Rashford has just one option left if he is to walk away from Old Trafford this January.
Dortmund were one of the clubs in talks with Rashford's team, after losing Donyell Malen to Aston Villa.
But his £325,000-per-week wages have all but ruled the German side out of the running for his signature, according to
The deal could still be revisited at the end of window if the cost comes down, but Rashford looks set to stay at his boyhood club for now.
Dortmund's sacking of manager Nuri Sahin has complicated the situation this week.
Rashford has been left out of the Man Utd squad once again for this evening's clash with Rangers.
Rangers out to attack
Rangers boss Philippe Clement has confirmed that his side won’t sit back and defend at Old Trafford this evening: "I'm not somebody who believes in only parking a bus in front of goal and hoping that nothing happens and hoping to come one time on the other side and then to score a goal out of that.
"So we will play out of our qualities, but of course we need to look also at the qualities of Manchester United.
"Like we did in the other European games the last month and like I did before also with other teams.
"I'm totally not busy with that [Man Utd’s form], if other teams are in high confidence or in low confidence.
"We had it a few weeks ago before the old firm that nobody gave us a chance and the team proved what they can do in big moments.
"It's about the moment, being there and be focused on ourselves. What we want to do on this pitch, not what the other team wants to do. We're focused on ourselves."
Butland returns
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland makes his first start between the after a period on the sidelines.
The shot-stopper was rushed to hospital with an internal bleed on his thigh a few weeks ago and has been out of action since then.
Butland now makes an emotional return to the pitch against the club that he was on loan in 2023.
The 31-year-old is also a boyhood United fan, which will make this evening extra special for him.
Rangers team vs Man Utd
Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier, Propper, Balogun, Jefte, Barron, Raskin, Ridvan, Bajrami, Cerny, Igamane
Subs: Kelly, Munn, Dessers, Lawrence, Dowell, King, McCausland, Rice, Lowelace, Curis, Nsio, Hutton
Man Utd team vs Rangers
Man Utd XI: Bayindir, De Ligt, Yoro, Martinez, Dalot, Amad, Collyer, Eriksen, Fernandes, Zirkzee, Garnacho
Subs: Heaton, Onana, Maguire, Malacia, Mazaroui, Casemiro, Mainoo, Ugarte, Antony, Hojlund
Rangers team news
Defenders Dujon Sterling, John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo are unavailable for the Scottish giants.
Man United academy graduate Tom Lawrence has a knock and is a doubt for tonight’s match, while Mohamed Diomande will not feature as he serves a one-match ban.
Another former Red Devil, Jack Butland, could return to the starting line-up after training this week following a period out due to an internal bleed on his thigh.
Man Utd team news
Victor Lindelof has returned to training after a month on the sidelines, but tonight may come too soon for the Swede.
Mason Mount and Luke Shaw will also not feature but are edging closer to a return.
Marcus Rashord trained in the week but is not expected to play this evening due to strong rumours linking him with a move away from Old Trafford this month.
Good evening and welcome to SunSport’s live blog of Man Utd vs Rangers!
The Red Devils are unbeaten in the Europa League this season, but they have not secured a spot in the top eight just yet.
United have draw three and won three of their six European games this season and sit 8th in the table ahead of kick off.
A win over their British rivals this evening would leave their fate in their own hands ahead of the final gameweek of the league phase.
Rangers are in a similar position to United, but they have a point less and are one place below tonight’s hosts.