Bruno Fernandes scored a dramatic injury-time winner as Manchester United defeated Rangers 2-1 in their Battle of Britain Europa League match at Old Trafford.
Former Red Devils player Jack Butland made a monumental mistake early in the second half on Thursday when he punched into his own goal to give United the lead.
Cyriel Dessers' excellent equalizer with two minutes of normal time seemed to have won the Gers a point, but Fernandes proved a fantastic captain with an excellent finish in the dying embers.
A win for United will leave them on the brink of a top eight finish while at least securing a play-off spot, but Rangers still have work to do to secure their own progression.
There were few chances in the first half, but a goal from Matthijs de Ligt was harshly disallowed when it was determined that Leny Yoro had made a mistake on Robin Propper.
But the second 45 was a stormy encounter and the touch paper lit up when Butland comically smashed Christian Eriksen's corner into his own goal.
Alejandro Garnacho, who was linked with an elimination in the transfer window, hit the post and Harry Maguire headed wastefully wide after Eriksen's sharp cross.
Those chances seemed to prove precious when Dessers brilliantly brought down a ball over the top which Maguire misjudged and fired into the bottom right corner on the spin.
But United had the final say when Fernandes stole for Jefte and expertly guided Lisandro Martinez's cross past Butland on the volley to settle a tense match.
lusser. pic.twitter.com/1WNJmTvGPi
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 23, 2025
Data debrief: United shines like it's 2022
United's dramatic victory means they have now made it four consecutive victories in the Europa League, their longest winning streak in the competition since a run of five between September and November 2022.
Furthermore, they have now scored in seven consecutive games in Europe's secondary competition, their best run since a run of 10, which also took place in 2022.
James Tavernier grabbed his second assist of the competition for Rangers this season, with no other player managing to score two for Philippe Clement's men.
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