Bruno Fernandes scored a stoppage-time winner for Manchester United as they beat Rangers 2-1 at Old Trafford despite Cyriel Dessers' late equalizer.
The Rangers Forward had closed a point for the Scottish club in the 88th minute when he sensationally crossed Harry Maguire to score a fine goal and cancel out Jack Butland's earlier own goal, but Fernandes volleyed when he was excellent to seal the victory to achieve.
The points move to fourth place in the competition phase. For all their Premier League struggles, Ruben Amorim's side are unbeaten after seven games in Europe and a result away to Steaua Bucharest next week will ensure a top-eight finish that bypasses the play-off round. Rangers, now 13th, are almost certainly looking in.
How it happened
It was Butland, a Boyhood United supporter, who had delivered the game's defining moment when he smashed Christian Eriksen's corner into his own net early in the second half to undermine his side's lively resistance.
But Rangers, who had the better chances in the first half despite Matthijs de Ligt conceding a goal, kept pushing for an equalizer. They were supported by Dessers' dramatic finish to the joy of the vocal path, but there was a twist.
Amorim's comments at the weekend that this was the worst ever United team had put the players in the spotlight, but United showed the character to find the winner. Lisandro Martinez's Angled Ball found its way to the captain, who made no mistake.
It was brutal on Rangers, but it was also a much-needed moment of magic at Old Trafford for a team who had lost four of their previous five games at this stadium. Far from convincing, of course. But still able to make this old stadium roar with delight.
Amorim: It was a good victory
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim:
“We didn't deserve the draw, I think it was fair for us to win the game,” Amorim said in the press conference afterwards.
“It was just a win that we really needed at the moment.”
Speaking to TNT Sports, he added: “We played well. There was more connection with the ball, good speed.
“We lost control of the game for seven minutes because of small, bad decisions. Even when we suffered the goal loss to Rangers, we were so close to the second goal and missed so many chances. But we recovered and it was a good win.
“We are not playing at our best, we are far from it, but we have improved from the last game.
“The opponent is different, the speed is different, everything is different. But they tried, you can see it again. The connections, the movement, some plays and we did well for the time we had to train.
“We have to be more clinical at the right times. That can help us a lot.”
'Garnacho improves'
Ruben Amorim speaks about Alejandro Garnacho in the press conference:
“I think he is improving in every aspect of the game, he was playing better today, also outside, changing positions, he is improving the recovering position.
“You can see it up to 90 minutes that he's always recovering and helping, sometimes showing some frustration and that's good because he wants more.
“I think he has potential to be so much better in every situation in the game. What I can say is that he understood what I was trying to do, it was really clear, I just want to help them, but at the end of the day it's them who do the job.”
Asked if this would be Garnacho's last game at Old Trafford: “No, I'm focused on the games and he's here, he's a player for Manchester United. He was really important for us today and let's see in the next few days .”
De Ligt and Yoro injuries are concerns
De Ligt was removed at half-time and Leny Yoro was also replaced early in the second half, with Amorim revealing that both defenders had come off due to injury problems.
“Matthijs de Ligt felt something in his leg, just like Leny Yoro. We can't risk anything.
“I know we have to win, but we have to show the players that everyone matters.”
Clement: Everyone's gutted
Rangers boss Philippe Clement speaks in the press conference:
“I saw everyone in the dressing room gutted, disappointed that we lost after playing that kind of game. I am too [disappointed] It is clear that we want to win, to take the points that we also deserve.
“But I'm also proud of what the team did today, sticking to the plan, following the tactics with all the young players who came on the pitch. The team stayed compact, stayed well organized and stayed brave on the ball.
“We created enough chances. In the first half we created the best chance. We went behind but didn't stop believing and playing in front of the goal, so it's very disappointing to concede the goal at the end.”
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