Manchester United 2 Rangers 1 – How close are Amorim’s side to qualifying? What did Butland do?

Manchester United are in a strong position to automatically qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League after a dramatic victory over Rangers at Old Trafford thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Bruno Fernandes.

Matthijs de Ligt headed in a United corner only for it to be denied after Leny Yoro was harshly adjudged to have fouled Robin Propper, leaving the teams level at 0-0 at half-time.

Neither side were dominant and Rangers lost three players to injury before the hour, with De Ligt substituted at half-time and Yoro after 55 minutes, but it was United who took the lead when Butland curled an own-goal corner after 52 minutes.

The lively Alejandro Garnacho had two decent efforts and Cyriel Dessers hit the United post (although he was probably offside) before controlling a high ball and beautifully slotting a fine shot past Altay Bayindir in the 88th minute.

A draw would have left United outside the automatic qualifying places heading into the last round, but less than four minutes after Dessers scored, Fernandes arrived at the back post to fire past Butland for the winner.

The result leaves United in fourth place in the table and Rangers in 13th place going into the final round of games.

Here, Laurie Whitwell and Jordan Campbell discuss the key talking points.

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Where does this win leave United?

Ruben Amorim said that Manchester United’s season would be a rollercoaster ride, but there were ups and downs even in the final minutes of this Europa League game, which ultimately ended on top of victory and the brink of progress to the knockout stage without the need for two extra qualifying games.

United looked to be heading for an agonizing draw when Dessers turned to hit a sweet finish that brought Rangers level in the 88th minute. But in the second minute of stoppage time, Fernandes produced a captain’s moment by arriving at Lisandro Martinez’s dangerous cross to volley past Butland.

Amorim had simply shook his head in despair at Dessers’ goal while crouching. A draw here would have put together a miserable sequence where Amorim has shown emotional strain. But the United manager turned to the crowd with a big grin and pumped his fists as Fernandes slotted home to give his side victory.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who has a strong connection to both clubs, wore a broad smile over the late drama that was his calling card as United manager.

Winning this competition is United’s best chance of Champions League qualification in a terrible season, and the three points move United to fourth in the table, with qualification for the last 16 in their grasp. They are two points ahead of the ninth-placed teams and travel to FCSB in Bucharest next week, one of three teams unbeaten in this season’s competition.

Laurie Whitwell

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What did Butland do wrong?

When Jack Butland joined Rangers from Crystal Palace eighteen months ago, there were big shoes to fill. He replaced Allan McGregor, a goalkeeper with 487 appearances for the club and 11 major titles, who specialized in producing memorable European displays.

The early years of his Premier League career at Stoke City, which earned him nine caps for England, provided consolation, but he had made just 18 appearances in two years and his final year at Stoke was riddled with injuries.

Which version did the Rangers acquire? For most of last season it looked like the former as the switch seemed to have rejuvenated him, as it did Joe Hart at Celtic, but since making a few mistakes at the end of last season he has never regained his form.

Rangers needed a McGregor-like performance from Butland but he made a horrendous mistake in the 52nd minute when he came to beat Christian Eriksen’s in-swinging corner. He had enough space to hit clear, but he mistimed it badly and hit the ball into his own net. It was as bad a mistake as you’re likely to see at this level.

Spare a thought for Liam Kelly, who was dropped for the game despite making his debut in the 3-0 win over Celtic at the start of the month and was unbeaten across the six games he replaced Butland while tending to a heel injury.

Philippe Clement was clearly hoping his experience would help on a big night against his former club. He made a good stop to smother Amad’s shot in the first half and another late on to deny a close-range volley from Ugarte, but there’s a reason Butland never turned up at Old Trafford in home colours.

Jordan Campbell

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Why was De Ligt’s header denied?

United had the ball in the net in the 24th minute when Matthijs de Ligt headed in from Amad’s corner, but referee Erik Lambrechts blew for a foul on the cluster of bodies. De Ligt had run over to throw his arms around Amad in celebration, but the Old Trafford jubilation was cut short when fans realized the decision.

Lambrechts discovered what he considered a foul by Leny Yoro on Robin Propper. It was a very soft call, with Yoro’s hand on Propper’s back and a nudge with his knee on the opponent’s leg. Propper had called the referee before Amad delivered his corner and appeared to suggest he should be careful with a shove in the back.

De Ligt was replaced at half-time by Harry Maguire, who missed a start due to illness but quickly came through. Maguire’s presence attacking set-pieces is an added asset to his game and he looked to seriously trouble Jack Butland when Bruno Fernandes headed over for a corner seven minutes after the break. Butland tried to kick the ball free, but only managed to deflect it into his own net.

Maguire had a great chance to score himself, stealing in at the far post for Christian Eriksen’s free-kick, but he missed the ball with his head from inside the six-yard box and had to see it skim wide.

De Ligt’s removal appeared to be fitness-related, with him having a discussion on this topic with Amorim after taking his place in the dugout in the second half.

Laurie Whitwell

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How did Collyer and Bayindir do?

Amorim made two notable calls in his starting line-up, handing Toby Collyer his first senior start in his preferred position, replacing Andre Onana with Bayindir.

Collyer’s selection is on the rise, with him appearing off the bench against Arsenal, Southampton and Brighton, but it remains a key decision on Amorim’s part to keep Casemiro, one of United’s top earners, on the bench. Casemiro, 32, has not featured since being crossed alongside Christian Eriksen in the defeat to Newcastle on December 30 and this game underlined how he is now behind Collyer, 11 years his junior.

Amorim wants more athleticism from his team, and that’s what Collyer provides. But he had some difficulties against Rangers. Early on, he miscontrolled the ball as United tried to pass out from the back as he was swarmed by four Rangers players, allowing Hamza Igamane to play through Nicolas Raskin for a one-on-one. But Raskin took a heavy touch and Bayindir came down for a choke.

In the 67th minute, Collyer also passed the ball straight to Ross McCausland, sparking a Rangers attack that was thwarted by Fernandes. But Collyer had sprinted to atone and his game was generally one of discipline and endeavour. He made telling interceptions and his efforts were appreciated by United fans who gave him a standing ovation when he was replaced by Manuel Ugarte with 17 minutes remaining.

Bayindir enhanced his reputation with a composed performance. He didn’t have much to do but got down well to Igamane’s shot that deflected off Lisandro Martinez, then slotted away a corner under pressure from Rangers players as the Scottish side looked to replicate the goal Tottenham scored past Bayindir in the Carabao . Cup.
Bayindir moved past that mistake with his display in the FA Cup win at Arsenal, but getting a start in the Europa League was a first and perhaps shows that Onana, who made a mistake against Brighton, has a fight for the No. 1 place.

Laurie Whitwell

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How great a performance was this from depleted Rangers?

Cyriel Dessers is the most divisive player in Rangers’ recent history. He is often the focus of criticism, but he produced a moment of brilliance that made the away corner believe they had grabbed a memorable draw.

He picked James Tavernier’s long diagonal out of the sky, smothered it with his first touch while on the spin and fired a shot into the bottom corner. It sent the outfielder into raptures, but it was short-lived as Jefte switched off at the back post a minute later to throw away a decisive point.

It was an achievement in itself that this Rangers team was even competing at halftime. When Dessers scored, it was closer to a B team than a first team. They were already missing Dujon Sterling, John Souttar, Mo Diomande, Oscar Cortes and Ianis Hagi, but at the break they also lost Leon Balogun and Connor Barron to injury.

It saw 18-year-old Bailey Rice come into midfield and fellow academy player Ross McCausland introduced on the wing, with Tavernier and Ridvan Yilmaz both switching to unfamiliar positions in the back four.

Clement was brave and brought in academy players Findlay Curtis, Zak Lovelace and Leon King as Rangers tried to press United. It almost worked and was another performance in Europe to build on. The problem for this team, similar to United, is that they can perform heroically as underdogs but struggle domestically when they are the dominant side.

Jordan Campbell

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What next for Manchester United?

Sunday, January 26: Fulham (away), Premier League, at 19.00 Great Britain, at 2 p.m. ET

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(Top photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)