Man Utd v Rangers LIVE: Latest result and reaction after Fernandes snatches late victory
Manchester United 2-1 Rangers: Fernandes secured victory after errors at either end had enlivened the battle of British clubs
Bruno Fernandes snatched a dramatic victory for Manchester United as they took a huge step towards direct progression to the last 16 of the Europa League.
The Manchester United captain popped up in stoppage time to deny Rangers a draw after the hosts had seemingly squandered their lead. The Portuguese midfielder tapped home the winner at the death to lift his side back into the top eight in the league phase of the competition, leaving Ruben Amorim’s side well placed with one game to go.
It marked a cruel end for Rangers after an impressive performance, particularly given Cyriel Dessers had appeared to have earned them a point. Dessers capitalised on a misjudgement from Harry Maguire to square affairs after visiting goalkeeper Jack Butland had earlier blundered in punching into his own net. But the Scottish side look highly unlikely to secure a top eight finish, leaving them facing a potential play-off round if they can beat Union Saint-Gilloise next week.
Re-live all of the action from Old Trafford below:
Bruno Fernandes settles battle of Britain but late escape fails to mask Manchester United's issues
A stray punch got the battle of Britain going, but it took the right boot of Bruno Fernandes to decide it.
The Manchester United captain may be a newcomer to the Anglo-Scottish rivalry – in contrast to a predecessor, Denis Law, whose life was celebrated by both clubs – but he decided it.
A goal in Fergie Time left Sir Alex Ferguson, the Rangers fan and former forward smiling. Probably Ruben Amorim, too: the Old Trafford televisions should be safer from his wrath.
Fernandes settles battle of Britain but late escape fails to mask Man Utd's issues
Man United get back to winning ways with dramatic win in 'Battle of Britain'
Amorim gives coy response amid transfer speculation
"I don't know what will happen, let's focus on the games and focus on the team,” he told TNT Sports following United’s dramatic win over Rangers. “Anything can happen."
Should Manchester United opt to dip into the market this month, it is understood that the club are interested in signing Patrick Dorgu from Lecce as they look to make a wing back the first recruit of the Ruben Amorim era.
Amorim pleased with the reaction from his players
"We did well,” he told TNT Sports. “We played better with the ball. I think we started well and then we lost control of the game because of some bad decisions but the lads did well. We are so near the second goal with so many chances, it's so hard but they recover.
"We are not playing our best but we regrouped from the last game. I know the opponent is different. It wasn't as fast. You can see the connections. I think we need to be more clinical in the right moments because that can help us a lot.
"We started the game scoring first, that is important. You can see that in Europe, it is quite different. We scored the first one and in the Premier League, it is not a foul.
“It's two weeks free [if United bypass the playoffs] to prepare for the Premier League so it's really important to stay in this position.”
Fernandes insists lack of character is not the issue
"It's not about the character,” he told TNT Sports. “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."
Amorim provides double injury update
Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Matthijs de Ligt’s half-time substitution was forced by injury.
"He felt something in his leg,” Amroim revealed to TNT Sports.
“Also, Leny [Yoro] so we cannot risk anything. We have to win but we have to protect the players and show that everyone matters in this moment.”
Fernandes delighted to guide United back to winning ways
“Obviously we know how much it means for the fans to win games,” he told TNT Sports. “It means the same for us, you really want to win games.
“We are a little bit frustrated because we started very well this year, with two great games against Liverpool and Arsenal. We didn't play brilliant football [against Arsenal], but we won the game nonetheless, we did well.
“Then Southampton, we didn't play brilliant football, then we had the game against Brighton where, unfortunately, everything went wrong for us.
“Today was important to get the win, because we want to get through in the Europa League. We want to go to the final in Bilbao, and we have to win every game. We want to be in the first eight, so we avoid to play two more games.”
Late drama at Old Trafford as Man United snatch late winner
FULL-TIME! Manchester United 2-1 Rangers
When they needed him most, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes popped up in stoppage time to deny Rangers a draw, salvaging a win they looked to have squandered.
The Portuguese midfielder tapped home the winner at the death to lift his side back into the top eight in the league phase of the competition, leaving Ruben Amorim’s side well placed with one game to go.
It marked a cruel end for Rangers after an impressive performance, particularly given Cyriel Dessers had appeared to have earned them a point. Dessers capitalised on a misjudgement from Harry Maguire to square affairs after visiting goalkeeper Jack Butland had earlier blundered in punching into his own net.
The Scottish side look highly unlikely to secure a top eight finish, leaving them facing a potential play-off round if they can’t beat Union Saint-Gilloise next week.
FULL-TIME! Manchester United 2-1 Rangers
The whistle goes and Manchester United have just about done it!
Bruno Fernandes’ late winner puts United within touching distance of the Europa League last 16.
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