Manchester United left it late as they defeated Rangers 2-1 in the Europa League on Thursday night. Ruben Amorim made five changes from the side that lost against Brighton last weekend with Altay Bayindir and Alejandro Garnacho amongst those who came into the starting line up.
Rangers started as the better of the two sides and wasted early chances to score when Nicolas Raskin spurned a close-range effort and Ridvan Yilmaz fired a volley straight at Bayindir. United twice went close through Garnacho and should have had the lead when a Matthijs de Ligt header was harshly ruled out for a soft foul in the box.
United went close again when Amad Diallo fired a low effort at former teammate Jack Butland in the Rangers goal and Joshua Zirkzee saw a shot blocked in the box, but there was nothing to separate the two sides at the half-time break.
Butland never made an appearance for United during his spell at the club but gifted them the opening goal of the match as he punched Christian Eriksen’s corner into his net shortly after the restart.
United grew in confidence afterward and almost doubled their lead when the lively Garnacho hit the post from close range. They went close again when substitute Harry Maguire headed just wide of the back-post from a free-kick, while Manuel Ugarte saw a headed effort saved by Butland.
It looked like United were on course for victory when Maguire failed to win a simple long ball and allowed Cyriel Dessers to draw his side level. However, it didn’t last long as Bruno Fernandes fired in a stoppage-time winner when he connected with an outstanding cross from Lisandro Martinez.
Here is how we rated the United players during the win:
1. Manchester United's players celebrate their first goal following the own-goal scored by Rangers' English goalkeeper #01 Jack Butland during the UEFA Europa league football match between Manchester United and Glasgow Rangers at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on January 23, 2025. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United defeated Rangers in the Europa League | AFP via Getty Images
2. Altay Bayindir - 8
A couple of important saves early on that played a key role in the win. He was the unsung hero on the night. | Getty Images
3. Leny Yoro - 5
He was wasteful in possession and still has work to do on his positioning. A lot of potential and a lot of work still to do. | Getty Images
4. Matthijs de Ligt - 6
A thunderous header should have given United the lead. He didn't do much wrong before he was hooked at half-time. | Getty Images