By Olaitan Ibrahim
Man United closed in on a direct passage to the Europa League last 16 thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ late winner to beat Rangers 2-1 in Thursday’s Battle of Britain.
The Red Devils looked set to suffer more disappointment at Old Trafford when Cyriel Dessers levelled for an injury-ravaged Rangers in the 88th minute.
But Fernandes spared United’s blushes and possibly the playoff round by blasting home in stoppage time.
United move up to fourth in the table with one match of the league phase remaining.
The top eight will qualify directly for the last 16, which may now be beyond Rangers, who slip to 13th.
However, the Glasgow giants did themselves proud in the circumstances as Philippe Clement had to turn to two teenagers off the bench in the second half as his injury problems mounted.
Ruben Amorim had blasted United’s current crop as the worst in the club’s history after a bruising 3-1 defeat to Brighton at the weekend.
That was a fourth defeat in five home games and United’s nervousness in front of an expectant crowd was clear to see in the early stages.
Rangers were left to rue not making more of the first big chance of the match when Altay Bayindir denied Nico Raskin and Ridvan Yilmaz chipped the rebound over.
Alejandro Garnacho has been linked with a move away in the closing weeks of the transfer window as United look to ease their issues with meeting profit and sustainability rules.
The Argentine is attracting interest from Napoli and Chelsea and should have signed off with at least one goal if it is to be his final appearance for the club.