Man Utd 2-1 Rangers: ‘Wounds and hope for Clement as side match adversity’

With its prayers to the immortal Denis Law and the banners celebrating the genius of their fellow Scotsman Sir Alex Ferguson, Old Trafford seemed to be a part.

But it didn’t sound like that. It had no aura, no noise from the home fans, no intimidation factor.

“Glory and honour”, “One Love Stretford End”, “Manchester Is My Heaven.” The dignified motifs decorated the stands, but there was no glory or honor or love.

Not before Butland hit one into his own net.

Suddenly the volume was turned up. Suddenly, United looked convincing in their build-up play, if sloppy when moments arrived.

There were several good ones, but no other goal until the dying seconds.

Butland saved, his defenders blocked and Rangers ensured their night did not descend into anything unpleasant.

Findlay Curtis entered, another 18-year-old in the game. Debut against Fraserburgh on Sunday and Europa League debut on Thursday. Rice and Curtis must have felt like children at Christmas.

So much has been said about the Old Firm’s inability to break through their young players, but Clement has some decent responses to that criticism now. Rice and Curtis were there because of injuries to others, but they were there.

This is a young group of players that Clement has and he is desperately trying to buy time to mold them into a knotty unit. Of course, patience is as rare as the dodo bird on Govan Road.

In a heart-stopping late moment, Rice played a magnificent pass into Dessers, who was one-on-one with Altay Bayindir in the United goal.

He lifted it above him and saw it come off a post. He was probably offside, but that didn’t lessen the anger of the home fans. They responded with an ear-splitting fury.

We couldn’t have known that Dessers would go again and this time he would put it away like the best Rangers strikers. Seventeen for the season. More than 20 last season.

That’s decent shooting for the dud you hear some Rangers fans talk about.

Fernandes had the final say and there will be Rangers anxiety because of it. For the entire finishing class, the goal was avoided.

It will hurt, but there will also be hope for Clement. His players fought hard against adversity. He saw character out there. No points, but something to keep building on.