On a day when the crippling financial figures at Manchester United were laid bare, the 20-time English champions returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory against Rangers.
Domestic struggles are a weekly ordeal for the Old Trafford faithful. But the Europa League has offered a welcome reprieve as Ruben Amorim joined Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson in winning his first three continental fixtures at the club.
A Jack Butland own goal and game-winning Bruno Fernandes strike returned three points with a much-improved performance as the 2016-17 winners climb to fourth in the new-look table.
With a weekend trip to Craven Cottage the next item on the agenda, a final European outing against FCSB will conclude group matters for United in a week within a partisan Bucharest setting.
More late drama for the Manchester United faithful
Amorim opted for a midfield pairing of Christian Eriksen and Toby Collyer, with Alejandro Garnacho featuring from the start despite ample speculation about his future.
Joshua Zirkzee retained his place at the head of the attack, with five-goal Rasmus Hojlund forced to watch on from the stands. Andre Onana, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte all dropped to the bench, with the Portuguese tactician highlighting the necessity for rotation before kickoff.
“When you have a game on Thursday, and then you have a very difficult match on Sunday, we have to use all the players,” he told MUTV.
“If not, it’s impossible to maintain all the players at the same level – fresh, without injuries, and they have to be prepared for every match.
“So, it’s an opportunity for everybody to play and try to win.”
Expectedly, United dominated the ball throughout the opening phases, with their Scottish guests remaining rigid in an eleven-men defence occupying space behind the ball.
But, in what has become a regular trend, Rangers threatened against the run of play through Nicolas Raskin.
Following ten minutes of one-way traffic, the Belgian collected the ball in the area after some lacklustre defending, only to stumble when attempting to round Altay Bayindir at the vital moment.
Much to the dismay of those in the ground, it was another early warning.
To their credit, Garnacho and Co responded well, retaining possession while probing menacingly for the opener.
So much of the focus was on the young Argentine before a ball was kicked, and he proved an endless thorn on the wing. His efforts returned several attempts that troubled a resolute Scottish defence.
The pressure was beginning to tell, and Amorim’s side had the ball in the net after 24 minutes following a Matthijs de Ligt header from a well-worked corner.
But VAR supported an on-field decision to dismiss the goal for an apparent foul on Butland.
Fernandes has excelled in the competition with 37 goal contributions to his name, and he began orchestrating the play after the half-hour mark. Some smooth interplay with Amad resulted in a stellar opportunity after 35 minutes before Zirkzee came close moments later, thanks to the fine work of his captain.
Lisandro Martinez celebrated a memorable strike against Arsenal in the FA Cup, and he was within inches of a second of the campaign through a bullet effort from distance with a couple of minutes of the half to play.
Butland was on hand to maintain parity, as play inevitably fizzled out following three minutes of added time. The home side controlled much of the half, collecting 69% possession with eight attempts on goal and an xG of 1.00.
Harry Maguire replaced De Ligt at the break for his 227th appearance for the club. The former Leicester man has earned widespread plaudits in Amorim’s system and looks assured at the heart of a back three.
His side took the lead within six minutes of the restart following a moment to forget for Butland. The former United backup keeper jumped to claim a corner, inexplicably punching the ball into his net.
In truth, it was nothing more than the home side deserved.
Tyrell Malacia replaced Leny Yoro a moment later as the young Frenchman grimaced while exiting the field in pain.
Amorim then saw his side come within the goal line of doubling their lead on the hour mark. Amad dazzled on the wing before squaring to Garnacho, who saw his effort headed off the line by a relieved Robin Propper.
Old Trafford erupted with songs of celebration for their Puskas Award-winning starlet. If he needed any reminding of the support he has in Manchester, he duly received it.
It was one-way traffic from here as Maguire somehow headed wide from five yards when it was easier to hit the target.
Inevitably, the visitors began pushing higher up the field, attempting to claim a share of the spoils. Bayindir was tested from a distance twice in as many minutes and, thankfully, was equal to both.
Mainoo and Ugarte replaced Collyer and Eriksen with twenty to play, as Amorim moved to freshen the midfield and ensure his side remained diligent throughout the final straight. Amad came close in the final quarter but lifted a volleyed effort high into the stands before Butland reacted instinctively to a close-range Ugarte header.
Hojlund replaced Zirkzee with ten to play and was keen to add to his impressive European record with the club. The Dane has 10 goals and an assist in 12 appearances dating back to his Champions League heroics last season.
But Rangers were far from finished.
They threatened late on and saw a ricocheted effort clip the post before confirmation of an offside in the buildup. Inevitably, these warning signs were not adequately read by a vulnerable United side, as they continued to threaten for a second while the visitors kept watch on the counter.
Against the run of play in the dying minutes, Cyriel Dessers profited from a hopeful long ball, out manoeuvring a stationary Maguire to hammer home with a minute of regulation to play.
Old Trafford was flat, and the visiting support was in dreamland.
But on the brink of another disappointing outing, Fernandes refused to give in and tracked a sublime Martinez cross to finish a magnificent half-volley in the second minute of injury time.
It was nothing more than Amorim and his men deserved following a much-improved showing from their weekend Premier League capitulation against Brighton. The win moves United to fourth in the table, unbeaten in seven fixtures and within a point of second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.
Despite the daily turmoil and trauma engulfing this once-perennial powerhouse, a European dream remains alive for the greatest supporters in the English game.
Did you enjoy this Battle of Britain between Manchester United and Rangers?
Let us know in the comments or across our socials.
Recent Posts
- The forgotten slow start to a glorious Manchester United campaign
- Manchester United officials retain confidence in Project 150 strategy
- Manchester United Supporters’ Club retain desire for change of ownership
