Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and others celebrate the winning goal at Old Trafford on Thursday January 23, 2025 | Image: Manchester Evening News
By Valentine Amanze
Manchester United have returned to winning ways, as they defeated Rangers 2-1 at Old Trafford in the Europa League on Thursday night.
United, who last faced Rangers in a competitive fixture in 2010, were beaten for the fifth time in their last eight games on Sunday, losing 3-1 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in a Premier League match.
That marked a fourth defeat in their last five Old Trafford outings.
But on Thurday night January 23, 2025, Manchester proved bookmakers wrong, as they moved one step closer to the round-of-16.
Manchester United thought they had opened the scoring through Matthijs de Ligt but his header was disallowed after Leny Yoro was dubiously penalised for a foul.
The home side took the lead in comical fashion as former United loanee Jack Butland punched the ball into his own net.
A Harry Maguire error allowed Cyriel Dessers a late chance and he made no mistake to make it 1-1 but Bruno Fernandes scored in the 90th minute to rescue Manchester United, 2-1.
After the match, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes told TNT Sports: “I know how much it means for the fans to win games. You really want to win games.
“We are a little bit frustrated because we started the year well here with two great games against Liverpool and Arsenal then Southampton we had good resilience but didn’t play good football. We had the game with Brighton which didn’t go for us.
“We want to get through the Europa League and get to the final in Bilbao. We want to get top eight so we don’t have to play two more games.
“It’s not about the character. We have to prove that in the 90 minutes, we can’t bring that out when we concede a goal. We concede a late goal and we have to score a late goal.
“At this club, you need to win every game. You know that if you don’t win games here, it will be difficult. I hope our fans never get used to losing games. I hope they believe in this team to win games.”
Prior to the game, the Ruben Amorim’s side were seventh in the table, one point and one place ahead of their visitors.
Also read: Manchester United: Feelings at Old Trafford after Amorim’s debut win
The top eight will automatically qualify for the last-16 and those who finish between ninth and 24th will go into the play-off round next month to try and reach the next round.
Amorim has made no secret of his desire to avoid a two-legged play-off tie at all costs.
United are unbeaten in the Europa League so far this season, winning four and drawing three of their first six games.
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