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Manchester United edged closer to the knockout stages of the Europa League and victory over Rangers in the first leg as Bruno Fernandes scored a brilliant header to seal the victory 2-1 on Thursday night. The encounter at Old Trafford was heading towards a frustrating draw for the Red Devils before Fernandes crowned the vital goal in stoppage time.
Cyriel Dessers had seemingly brought a draw for a seriously stretched Rangers team in the 88th minute with an equalising goal, but Fernandes’ hero effort ensured United avoided another slip-up in what has been an up-and-down season for the Red Devils. “It was a victory that we truly needed in this moment,” said United’s under-pressure manager Ruben Amorim who has faced a backlash in recent weeks.
With that victory, Manchester United moves up to the fourth position on the group B standing with only one game left in the league phase, thereby maintaining a possibility for a direct qualification to the last 16. At the same time, Rangers occupy the 13th position and they will become even weaker to fight for the top eight as it gives a direct path.
Rangers: The Team’s Battle Amid Rising Injuries
However, Rangers got commendation for their display especially when they were operating under pressure due to the setback. Glasgow side has his players many of whom were injured and coach Philippe Clement had to make difficult decisions for most of the match. By the second half, he had no other option with him but to depend on two junior football players, Bailey Rice and Findlay Curtis, who have hardly played before.
“I saw everybody stripped in the dressing room that we lost after playing that kind of game,” said Clement. “I am also very proud of what the team did today, sticking to the plan with really young players coming on the pitch.”
Rangers had several injury problems during the match; Leon Balogun and Connor Barron were substituted in the first half, and Vaclav Cerny left the field on a stretcher at the break. Add to this the fact that several main stars such as John Souttar, Ianis Hagi, Danilo, and Oscar Cortes where missing and it was stretched to the limit.
A Nervous Start for Manchester United
United went into the match having been humbled 3-1 by Brighton in the English Premier League and coach Mourinho was under a lot of pressure especially given the large expectancy of United fans back at Old Trafford. The tension was well visible right from the start of the game as the players fail to have good coordination and synchronization.
Manager Ruben Amorim had earlier publicly attacked his squad after a loss to Brighton saying they were the worst in the club’s history. Such a devastating critique seemed to affect the players so much especially as they nervously warmed up to the encounter.
Despite the loss, there was one positive note for United and that was a performance by Alejandro Garnacho whose future has been a big talking point in recent weeks. The Argentine winger has been on the verge of joining Napoli as well as Chelsea, and if this was his last game for United, he could have delighted his fans by scoring a goal.
The first half brought us a shot that was heading into the goal by Garnacho, but it was blocked by the output of Nico Raskin, and just after a header from the towering Matthijs de Ligt was disallowed for a foul on Robin Propper. The astonishing call which VAR did not review was also disappointing the home team more.
Defensive Errors Nearly Cost United
Rangers were able to keep United on the back foot for most of this match even though the home side was considerably weaker than it is. The visitors even gifted United the opening goal through a bizarre own goal from Jack Butland.
Butland, who had spent time on loan at United, suffered a horror show on his return to Old Trafford. He single handedly honored United when in a comical mix up, he ‘scored an own goal’ by punching the ball into his own net from Amad Diallo’s take.
Unfortunately, United did not push and maximize the benefits of winning the match. Rising senior Garnacho missed a clear penalty and fired a shot against the post from within shooting range, and the hosts suffered for the wasted chances in closing stages. Notorious for some defensive mistakes this season, Harry Maguire was at it again, when he terribly misjudged a long ball and Rangers Dessers affirmed that by putting the ball past Henderson to level the scores in the 88th minute.
Bruno Fernandes to the Rescue
This has become rather a tradition in this season to see Bruno Fernandes helping Manchester United get out of a difficult situation. The Portuguese playmaker came up with the only piece of genuine quality in the game during the last couple of minutes.
Receiving a clearance from Martinez, Fernandes fired the ball past Butland to give United the much-needed three points in a beautiful style. The goal not only saved United from a possibility of facing an additional playoff round but also brought morale to the team and their criticized [kaka] manager.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
This was rather a bitter moment for Rangers as their campaign is not over yet but still they have to bow out. They still have a shot at the playoff round and could jump to the premier league’s top eight standings if they manage to overcome Union Saint-Gilloise back at Ibrox next week.
Manchester United on the other hand will play their last league-phase match away to FCSB in Romania. A point will likely guarantee them the place in the last 16 and that will be easier rather than having to go for the playoffs.
Though this is a victory that will calm the United fans for some time, the team’s form and capability to challenge for the premier league title remains questionable. Although fast players such as Garnacho might leave the club sooner, and defensive weaknesses keep being exposed, Ruben Amorim also has other major tasks to complete as the season unfolds.
As it stands, though, the emerging hero of the piece is Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes – and the Red Devils are given another chance to make their mark.
