Match Report – Manchester United 2-1 Rangers

By Lee ClarkePhilippe Clement had asked his Rangers players to attack the challenge of Manchester United and Old Trafford like ‘fighters’ and not underdogs prior to this huge Europa League clash and to their credit they did exactly that as they gave a battling display in a thoroughly entertaining clash at Old Trafford that the home side would eventually scrape over the line as 2-1 winners.The Gers had travelled South this midweek knowing a result of any kind would seal progression into the next phase of the competition but victory would put them into prime position to secure a top 8 spot and passage straight to the last 16, with a home game against USG still to come. As it turns out, either option is still a possibility albeit a big effort and a little bit of luck will be required to secure that automatic slot.In a season of despair away from Ibrox, Rangers seem to have reserved their best performances for this competition with the 4-1 home defeat to Lyon the only real blip. Respectable draws against Spurs and Olympiacos with a hammering of Nice, meant Rangers went into this game feeling pretty good about themselves however, this was still Man Utd and Old Trafford.No matter how poorly they have started under young manager Ruben Amorim, this game was a step up to anything the boys in blue had faced so far in this competition. The Portuguese has had a torrid start to his time in the Man Utd hotseat after only two wins from ten and with the club losing their sixth home game of the season last weekend it’s fair to say Amorim was under a little bit of pressure.The Gers made six changes from the weekend’s cup win and lined up as many suspected they would with Ridvan Yilmaz being deployed on the left side of midfield, just as he had against Tottenham, replacing the ineligible Ianis Hagi. There was a return to the team for Jack Butland, Leon Balogun and Connor Barron kept his place, replacing the suspended Diomande. A stronger side than many first feared and the defence had a much more familiar feel to it but, Phil Clements injury list was reflected more on the substitutes bench as two goalkeepers along with five teenagers were named, some of whom only made their competitive debuts at the weekend against Fraserburgh.The game kicked off to a raucous atmosphere with Old Trafford packed to the rafters. The  3800 Rangers fans, in amongst an official attendance of 73288, had sung themselves hoarse from about 45 minutes before kick off. You had a feeling this one was going to have a bit of needle.Man Utd started on the front foot troubling Butland inside of 3 minutes as he held Garnacho’s angled drive after great work down the left. Rangers, as the manager promised hadn’t turned up to sit in, and they began pressing higher. 8 minutes in and the first huge chance of the match goes begging as Raskin, put through on goal from Igamane after some cracking footwork, somehow loses his footing and Utd recover. Rangers were having  a good spell here and had another great chance seconds later as Yilmaz volleyed straight at Bayindir from only ten yards after a fantastic pass from Bajrami. Rangers were well up for it and being roared on from a superb following you felt this could be their night.Man Utd though have real quality throughout their side and despite some very neat football were restricted to strikes from distance from Bruno Fernandes and Garnacho who both whistled over Butland’s bar as Rangers looked to keep it compact and tight out of possession. On 22 minutes the home side finally got into the Rangers box and should have scored as Garnacho found himself in acres of space but his goal bound shot was headed over from Raskin.Utd had their tails up now and thought they had gone ahead from the resulting corner as De Ligt headed home seemingly unchallenged however,  the referee was on hand to immediately spot a trip on Propper and Rangers could breathe again as the goal was disallowed. Rangers, to their credit, tried to keep pushing forward however a lack of quality in the final third meant Man Utd were rarely troubled and in truth the latter part of the first half had started to become something of a stalemate.Some very nice touches but, just not enough end product from either side although you did feel like Amorim’s men were looking more likely and when you have the quality of Garnacho along with Fernandes, Eriksen and ex-Ranger Amad Diallo in the forward areas it was inevitable that the chances would come and it was those three who combined to create a one-one on one chance for the latter who saw his effort well saved from Butland. The game had come to life again and Rangers pressed forward with Igamane seeing his deflected shot from distance fizz off the surface and be tipped around the post.Man Utd weren’t done either and a Martinez strike from distance was pushed over by Butland, which brought a breathless and thoroughly entertaining first half to a close. In truth Rangers gaffer Clement would’ve been the happier of the two managers at the interval and his side had survived a couple of big scares however you just felt if they could show a little bit more composure in the final third, this Man Utd team were there to be got at.Rangers were forced into two changes at halftime as Rice and McCausland replaced the injured Barron and Balogun, whilst Harry McGuire was introduced for the home side. This meant a reshuffle for the ‘Gers with Tavernier going into centre-half and Ridvan slotting into right back and when Findlay Curtis replaced Cerny (yet another injury) it really did underline just how threadbare this Rangers squad currently is.It was a massive moment and opportunity for the youngsters though and it was Rice who was to have the first chance, his half volley from Jefte’s cross flying well over. Despite a positive start to the half it was Man Utd who were to strike first however, as Zirkzee firstly saw his goalbound shot deflected over and from the resulting corner Jack Butland inexplicably punched the ball into his own net. It was shades of John Luckic from that famous European night against Leeds Utd and the sort of mistake you just cannot afford to make at this level. After holding out so well, Rangers had gifted Man Utd the lead and now had a mountain to climb.Rangers looked shaken at this and with the defence all over the place Man Utd could and should’ve put the game to bed as firstly Garnacho hit a post before Harry McGuire somehow missed the target from only 8 yards out with no Rangers player within yards of him. Credit to the away side though they weren’t going to sit back and feel sorry for themselves. Bailey Rice, not looking at all out of place at all, started to drive forward with both Jefte and Curtis having strikes at goal and gaffer Clement made a positive substitution, bringing on Dessers for the ineffective Bajrami. Rangers were still in this.Rangers had hung on for dear life and the game probably should’ve been done and dusted yet, you felt like they could snatch something from this, if they could just get one chance and it appeared to arrive two minutes later. Fantastic work again from Rice released Dessers who just got there ahead of the keeper and saw his deft chip agonisingly clip the post and stay out. As it turned out it wouldn’t have counted anyway as the assistant flag went up but, the big man wasn’t to be denied for long as two minutes later he plucked a hopeful ball forward out of the sky and turned to rifle an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner to send the away end into raptures.It was a huge moment and despite Man Utd domination of the ball, it felt very much like Rangers deserved to be level at least for the way they had battled through the match. It was quite typical of Dessers as he continues to go from the ridiculous to the sublime but, there is no arguing with the quality of the goals he has scored in a blue shirt and this was another pearler to add to the collection.With only minutes to go, Rangers looked like they would leave with a battling point but, unfortunately it wasn’t to be. This is a stadium famous for late goals and as Utd broke forward in ‘Fergie time’ Bruno Fernandes buried a volley through Butland’s legs and the winner for the home side.It was a heartbreaking way to lose and in truth Utd deserved to win on the balance of play but, Rangers deserve immense credit for the way they fought back into the game, despite facing yet more injuries and a team that was starting to resemble the under-19’s by the end of the match. Philippe Clement was philosophical post match:It’s mixed feelings. We are gutted at losing but I’m also very proud of what the team has done today. In their organisation, their structure, players playing out of position and young guys coming in who only have experience of the academy and giving us everything. Coming back after going behind showed fantastic mentality and I don’t think I can ask more. I’m of course disappointed at the result and the goals are avoidable but, it’s very easy to come to Manchester Utd and lose belief, but, the team never doubted and it’s a real pity we suffered the sucker punch at the end. One final word must go to that magnificent away end. The Rangers support was simply sensational from start to finish which the Rangers gaffer was keen to acknowledge.I’m disappointed that we couldn’t win it for the fans. You see the support they gave us for an hour before kick-off right through the match and even afterwards. It was amazing so I’m disappointed for them also.Lee Clark