Evening Standard
·23 gennaio 2025
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Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·23 gennaio 2025
Red Devils turn around woeful Old Trafford form to win dramatic ‘Battle of Britain’ clash
Manchester United have all but guaranteed automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League after a dramatic late 2-1 win over Rangers. Bruno Fernandes was the hero at the end of a lively ‘Battle of Britain’ contest at Old Trafford on Thursday night, volleying home the winning goal in stoppage time to send Ruben Amorim’s side fourth and put them firmly on course to avoid the knockout play-offs with one final league stage fixture to come against FCSB in Romania next week.
Fernandes’ decisive intervention came just four minutes after depleted Rangers looked to have defied more injury woe to snatch a late share of the spoils, substitute Cyriel Dessers getting the better of Harry Maguire before providing a sublime touch and finish past Altay Bayindir. That cancelled out an earlier own goal from the returning Jack Butland, who punched through his own net from a corner to give the hosts the lead early in a lively second half.
Rangers will now likely have to settle for a knockout play-off place as they prepare to face Belgian opponents Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox, with Leon Balogun and Connor Barron adding further to Philippe Clement’s injury headache. United, meanwhile, saw defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro both pick up knocks.