Manchester United edged closer to securing a spot in the UEFA Europa League last 16 with a late 2-1 win over Rangers on Thursday night.
UEFA Europa League
Result: Manchester United 2-1 Rangers
Date: 23 January 2025
Venue: Old Trafford
Alejandro Garnacho started for the Red Devils despite being heavily linked with a departure in recent days, while Christian Eriksen and Toby Collyer started in the midfield.The visitors nearly got the breakthrough on ten minutes with two chances in quick succession as Nicolas Raskin and Ridvan Yilmaz were both denied by goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
United had the ball in the back of the net in the 23rd minute when Mathjis de Ligt turned home a corner from close range, but the celebrations were cut short for a foul in the build up.
The Red Devils should have been ahead ten minutes later when Bruno Fernandes did well to slip Amad Diallo through on goal, but the Ivorian forward was denied by goalkeeper Jack Butland in a one-on-one situation.
After a scoreless first half, Ruben Amorim's charges were gifted the opening goal five minutes into the second half when Butland's attempted punch at Eriksen's corner ended with the ball going into his own net.
United continued to push for another goal as Garnacho got on the end of Diallo's cross before seeing his shot cleared off the line, while substitute Harry Maguire squandered a good headed chance a few minutes later.
Amorim refreshed the team with 15 minutes left on the clock after introducing Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte in the middle of the park, with Eriksen and Collyer making way.
Rangers nearly silenced Old Trafford in the 80th minute when substitute Cyriel Dessers latched onto a ball over the top but his lob over Bayindir was kept out by the upright.
Dessers got his reward in the 88th minute after showing superb control to take down a long-ball before finding the bottom corner with a superb left-footed finish.
However, United got the winning goal in the first minute of time added on when Lisandro Martinez turned provider to pick out Fernandes who sent a first-time finish beyond Butland as they moved up to fourth spot on the table.
