MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United are inching closer to automatically qualifying for the Europa League round of 16 after Bruno Fernandes scored a late winner to beat Rangers 2-1 early this morning in the ‘Battle of Britain’ clash.
The Red Devils looked set for more disappointment at Old Trafford when Cyriel Dessers equalised for injury-hit Rangers in the 88th minute.
But Fernandes saved United’s honour and avoided a possible play-off spot by firing home in injury time.
United jumped to fourth place in the table with one match remaining in the group stage.
The top eight teams qualify directly for the last 16, which may now be difficult for Rangers after they slipped to 13th place.
Ruben Amorim has slammed United’s current squad as the worst in the club’s history after their agonising 3-1 defeat to Brighton last weekend.
It was the fourth defeat in five home games and United’s nervousness in front of their fans was evident early in the half.
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland never played for United when he was briefly on the Red Devils’ roster in 2023.
The former England international goalkeeper endured a horrific night when he headed Amad Diallo’s corner into his own goal to break the deadlock in the 52nd minute.
But United were almost punished when Dessers shot in after Harry Maguire was tricked by a through ball.
Not for the first time this season, Fernandes came to United’s rescue with a moment of quality in a lacklustre match when he finished Lisandro Martinez’s cross past Butland’s reach in the 92nd minute.
United travel to Romanian club FSCB next week with a point enough to secure a place in the last 16.