Manchester United vs Rangers Review
Bruno Fernandes netted a last-minute goal in the 92nd minute, securing a 2-1 win for Manchester United against Rangers at Old Trafford and solidifying their position in the top eight of the UEFA Europa League. Within the first 10 minutes, Toby Collyer, making his European debut, was dispossessed. Luckily for him, Nicolas Raskin couldn’t control the ball after receiving a pass from Hamza Igamane, allowing Altay Bayındır to come off his line and avert the threat. This gave Rangers some momentum, and they nearly scored again shortly after when James Tavernier’s cross found Rıdvan Yılmaz at the back post, but his volley was easily saved by the United goalkeeper.
The hosts started to find their rhythm midway through the first half, with Raskin making a crucial header to deflect Alejandro Garnacho’s powerful shot over the bar. The Red Devils managed to score from the resulting corner, but Matthijs De Ligt’s header was controversially disallowed due to a minor foul by Leny Yoro on Robin Pröpper. Amad Diallo was frustrated not to have scored himself just before halftime, as Jack Butland denied him after a pass from Bruno Fernandes. Butland was busy again before the break, stopping a fierce shot from Lisandro Martínez to keep the score level.
United carried their momentum into the second half, with Garnacho’s precise cutback finding Fernandes, whose attempt was sent over the bar by Pröpper. However, Rangers’ defense eventually faltered from the next corner, as Butland misjudged a punch on Christian Eriksen’s delivery, inadvertently sending the ball into his own net. With Rangers forced to make three substitutions, including losing their star player Václav Černý, Amorim’s side was dominant and should have extended their lead, as Garnacho had a shot cleared off the line by Pröpper and Harry Maguire inexplicably missed a close-range header.
Rangers nearly equalized when Cyriel Dessers’ chip hit the post. However, two minutes before the end of normal time, Dessers capitalized on a defensive error by Maguire, skillfully controlling Tavernier’s long pass with a brilliant first touch and sending a shot into the bottom corner.
United managed to secure a late winner, as Fernandes scored a well-placed volley on his 50th UEL appearance from Martínez’s cross, giving his team only their second win in five home games and putting them close to automatic qualification.