Man Utd 2, Rangers 1 (Europa League)
Manchester United beat Rangers after late drama at Old Trafford saw Bruno Fernandes hit a 92nd minute winner for the Reds.
The game had looked to be heading to a draw after an 88th minute error by Harry Maguire allowed Cyriel Dessers to turn and level the scores after it looked like Jack Butland’s 52nd minute own goal was going to decide the latest Battle of Britain between the sides.
But although Dessers scored Rangers’ first ever goal against United to level the game with 2 minutes of normal time to go, the visitors could not hold on and Bruno Fernandes smashed home the winner in injury time to break Scottish hearts.
Rangers had played a full part in the game, despite having much less possession than United they worked hard and ended the game with more shots on target than the Reds.
Leny Yoro was harshly adjudged to be at fault for a foul in the box on Robin Propper after United thought they had opened the scoring after 23 minutes when Amad Diallo’s corner found the United defender.
Amad was sent clean through by Bruno Fernandes but was thwarted by Jack Butland while Altay Bayindir saved from Nicolas Raskin who was also clean through and saved from Hamza Igamane and James Tavernier.
Harry Maguire was introduced at half time and his aerial threat came in very handy for distracting Rangers as Jack Butland contrived to punch Christian Eriksen’s corner but the ball span backwards into his net to give United the lead after 52 minutes.
Ross McCausland and Bailey Rice replaced the injured pair of Leon Balogun and Connor Barron but Rangers suffered another blow early in the second half when Vaclav Cerny had to come off to be replaced by Findlay Curtis – leaving the visitors with a makeshift and inexperienced defence.
Amad cut the ball back to Alejandro Garnacho who hit the post while the Reds looked to double their advantage.
Butland saved from Manuel Ugarte towards the end of the game and Cyriel Dessers lifted Bailey Rice’s through ball over the United defence but it shaved the post – a great chance for Rangers to draw level in the last 6 minutes.
But there was to be a frantic finish after United could not see out a comfortable win without drama – a hopeful punt up to Cyriel Dessers was missed by Harry Maguire and the Belgian striker levelled the scores to send the away end crazy.
But Old Trafford was open its feet 4 minutes later when Rangers could not repel a curling ball up to Bruno Fernandes by Lisandro Martinez and the United captain bailed out his side once again.
Embed from Getty ImagesGOALS – Man Utd 2, Rangers 1 (Europa League)
Altay Bayindir: 7. Grateful to make the save after Nicolas Raskin stumbled when running onto a through ball by Hamza Igamane. Had to get down quick to block Hamza Igamane’s deflected shot and claw away a James Tavernier corner. Vaclav Cerny and Jefte long range efforts also saved.
Leny Yoro: 6. Given a physical test. He was unlucky to have been deemed to have fouled Robin Propper after Amad’s corner was headed home by Mathijs De Ligt – ruling out the goal. More injury worries after he was substituted early in the second half.
Mathijs De Ligt: 6. Failed to track the run of Nicolas Raskin for an early Rangers chance, deserved a goal but his early header was ruled out. Substituted at half time with what may have been an injury issue.
Lisandro Martinez: 7. Blocked a shot by Hamza Igamane and had a dipping 20 yard effort tipped away by Jack Butland. His curling cross created the injury time winner for Bruno Fernandes.
Amad: 6. Desperate to do well against Rangers. Gave Jefte plenty to worry about but Rangers were ready for his threat. Sent clean through by Bruno Fernades but his shot was blocked by Jack Butland. Deep corner cleared by Hamza Igamane. Well offside for an attempted overhead kick which didn’t come off.
Toby Collyer: 6. First full start in his preferred deep lying midfield role. Played well and covered lots of ground.
Christian Eriksen: 6. Some good attacking moves. His second half corner was punched into his own net by Jack Butland.
Diogo Dalot: 6. Left wing back still not his favoured role but he was switched to right sided centre back after Leny Yoro went off early in the second half.
Alejandro Garnacho: 6. Early shot saved by Jack Butland and he was not afraid to shoot on sight, hit the post in the second half and was denied by Butland after a fierce shot late in the game.
Bruno Fernandes: 7. More discipline this time but couldn’t resist some long range shots. Great through ball to Amad deserved a better finish. Fierce second half shot deflected over the bar by Robin Propper. Came up with the goods in a dramatic finish.
Joshua Zirkzee: 6. Battle with Robin Propper. Not much involvement in the game though.
Harry Maguire (on for Mathijs De Ligt, 46): 5. Presented a serious aerial threat. Headed wide from a Christian Eriksen free kick but bad error gifted Rangers an equaliser.
Tyrell Malacia (on for Leny Yoro, 55): 6. Went to left wing back after the United reshuffle.
Kobbie Mainoo (on for Christian Eriksen, 73): 6. On to give Eriksen a rest.
Manuel Ugarte (on for Toby Collyer, 73): 6. Flying header saved by Jack Butland.
Rasmus Hojlund (on for Joshua Zirkzee, 82): No time to mark.
GOALS – Man Utd 2, Rangers 1 (Europa League)
Man Utd 1, Rangers 0: 52. Jack Butland punched the ball into his own net after everyone went up for Christian Eriksen’s corner. Bad spin of the ball caught everyone out.
Man Utd 1, Rangers 1: 88. Cyriel Dessers pounced after Harry Maguire misjudged the flight of a hopeful punt upfield by James Tavernier. He turned and shot past Altay Bayindir to send the travelling fans crazy.
Man Utd 2, Rangers 1: 90+2. Bruno Fernandes rifled home an even later goal past Jack Butland from 10 yards out after a curling cross up from Lisandro Martinez, ghosting in past the static Rangers defence.
MATCH STATS – Man Utd 2, Rangers 1 (Europa League)
Man Utd: Bayindir, Yoro, De Ligt (Maguire 46), Martinez, Diallo, Collyer, Eriksen, Dalot, Garnacho, Fernandes (C), Zirkzee (Hojlund 82)
Man Utd Subs: Onana, Heaton, Antony, Casemiro,
Goals: Butland og 52; Fernandes 90+2
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier (C), Propper, Balogun (McCausland 46), Jefte, Barron (Rice 46), Raskin, Cerny (Curtis 59), Bajrami (Dessers 71), Yilmaz, Igamane
Rangers Subs not used: Munn, Kelly, Lawrence, Lovelace, Nsio, Dowell, Hutton
Booked: Jefte 76 (foul on Amad)
Goal: Dessers 88
Referee: Erik Lambrechts (Belgium)
Attendance: 73,288