MAN UTD 2, RANGERS 1
Captain Bruno Fernandes scored a dramatic injury-time winner for Manchester United against Rangers in the Battle of Britain to almost certainly secure a top eight spot and automatic qualification to the knockout phase of the Europa League.
It had looked as though United, wasteful in front of goal, would be punished when Rangers’ substitute Cyriel Dessers netted an 88th minute equaliser.
The Reds displayed character in adversity to regain their composure and find a way to win the match and avoid their final group game in Romania next week being must win as a draw will guarantee qualification.
It had looked as though an unfortunate own goal from Rangers’ goalkeeper Jack Butland – a former United loanee who never made an appearance for the Reds – would be the decider until the dramatic late twists to the game.
And in the wake of the many unwanted stats since Ruben Amorim took charge, there was one to provide some cheer.
United’s head coach is only the third United manager to win their first three games in a major European competition after Matt Busby in 1956 and Alex Ferguson in 1990.
Amorim thought the victory was deserved saying: “We did well. We played better with the ball. I think we started well and then we lost control of the game because of some bad decisions but the lads did well. We are so near the second goal with so many chances, it’s so hard but they recover.
“We are not playing our best, but we regrouped from the last game. I know the opponent is different. It wasn’t as fast. You can see the connections. I think we need to be more clinical in the right moments because that can help us a lot.”
Rangers’ manager Philippe Clement was satisfied with his side’s performance by his injury-decimated side.
“To create so much in our situation was a positive thing without eight players and so many young players involved,” he said.
United made five changes after Sunday’s 3-1 loss to Brighton.
Embed from Getty ImagesOut went Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Noussair Mazraoui.
There was a start for 21-year-old midfielder Toby Collyer along with Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
Rangers, who had won all six games in 2025, were able to rest some legs for their 5-0 win at home to Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup.
Cyriel Dessers scored a hat-trick score against the Highland League side but that was not enough to keep his place as Hamza Igamane returned.
Jack Butland was back between the sticks after missing six games and it looked like full-back Ridvan Yilmaz was being used as a winger.
Former United youth Tom Lawrence was among the substitutes after a long time out.
Garnacho had an early chance after cutting in from the left, but his effort was easily saved by Butland.
It was another nervy start from United as Collyer gave the ball away and Nicolas Raskin was put clear only for Bayindir to block and then see the same player’s second effort land on the roof of the net.
Yilmaz then had a volley which went straight to Bayindir as the Scots asked questions of the Reds’ defence.
United thought they had made the breakthrough mid-half when Matthijs De Ligt’s effort was ruled out.
Garnacho had a drive deflected over for a corner from which Amad Diallo’s delivery found Dutchman De Ligt, but the effort was ruled out for a clear and obvious foul by Leny Yoro on Robin Propper.
United’s best chance of the half came in the 36th minute when Diallo played a return pass with Bruno Fernandes and was clean through only for Butland to spread himself well to block.
Bayindir also made a big stop to keep out Hamza Igamane’s drive which took a wicked deflection off Lisandro Martinez.
The game was opening up as Martinez had a drive which was superbly turned over the bar by Butland.
United made a change at the break as Maguire replaced De Ligt while Rangers made a double switch.
The Reds had an early chance as Amad’s inswinging corner was headed off the line by Igamane while at the opposite end Vaclav Cerny had a dive comfortably saved.
The breakthrough came in the 52nd minute after Fernandes’ shot deflected off Propper and looped on to the roof of the net.
Eriksen’s inswinging corner was punched into his own net by Butland who was under pressure in the crowded six-yard box, just the sort of lucky break they needed.
United made a second change as Yoro was replaced by Tyrell Malacia.
There was nearly a second for United as Amad cut the ball back for Garnacho whose shot from seven yards struck the upright.
Maguire then went close heading wide from Eriksen’s free kick as a second goal continued to elude United.
Amorim made two further changes with 17 minutes left as Collyer and Eriksen were replaced by Ugarte and Mainoo to give fresh legs to the midfield.
Ugarte came close to a goal soon after making his entrance as his header from Fernandes’ free kick was well kept out by Butland.
United made their last change, Rasmus Hojlund replacing Zirkzee.
The worry was that the missed chances may come back to haunt United, evidenced by Bailey Rice releasing Cyriel Dessers who, clean through, saw his effort strike the upright. Replays suggested the striker was offside.
Garnacho had another great chance cutting in from the left before forcing a flying save from Butland.
United were well on top until disaster struck in the 88th minute when Rangers levelled.
James Tavernier’s long ball went over the head of Maguire enabling Dessers to take a touch a fire low past Bayindir.
Maguire’s blushes were spared as Fernandes fired United back ahead in the second of five added minutes ghosting in on the far side of the box to fire home Martinez’s floated cross for his ninth goal of the season.