Match Report: Man Utd 2 Rangers 1 | Europa League | 23 January 2025

Bruno Fernandes stepped up in the 92nd minute to give the Reds – who were already assured of at least a play-off place before kick-off – a crucial three points. Substitute Cyriel Dessers looked to have grabbed the tie for the Scottish visitors with an 88th-minute equalizer after Rangers keeper Jack Butland inadvertently headed Christian Eriksen’s corner into his own net early in the second half.

The Reds – who are now fourth in the table – maintain our unbeaten record in Europe this season and will be hoping to finish the job of qualifying for the next stage when we travel to Bucharest to face eighth-placed FCSB next Thursday (30 .January).

The visitors paid their respects to United legend Denis Law following the announcement of the Scot’s death last week at the age of 84, when a delegation including former United interim chief executive Patrick Stewart laid a wreath under the United Trinity the statue on the forecourt. A large surfer banner was also unfurled above the Stretford End before kick-off in tribute to one of its favorite sons, reading simply: ‘Denis Law, The King’.

Ruben Amorim demanded a reaction from Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat to Brighton and made five changes as Altay Bayindir, Lisandro Martinez, Eriksen, Toby Collyer and Alejandro Garnacho came into the starting line-up. After initially being named on the bench, Noussair Mazraoui was not included among United’s substitutes and was rested as a precaution after picking up a knock against the Seagulls.

Rangers, meanwhile, were without eight first-team players – including the suspended Mohamed Diomande – but welcomed back goalkeeper Butland, who had a loan spell at Old Trafford without playing two seasons ago, having missed six games, while Leon Balogun returned in defense for the first time since he was injured on Boxing Day and former United youth player Tom Lawrence was an unused substitute.