Manchester United celebrated a thrilling 2-1 victory over Rangers at Old Trafford, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a decisive stoppage-time winner. This win marks the eighth time Manchester United has clinched a 90th-minute winning goal in major European competitions, more than any other English team. Ruben Amorim, steering the Red Devils to this triumph, became the third Manchester United manager to win his first three European matches, joining the ranks of legends like Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson.
The match unfolded with dramatic flair, as Jack Butland inadvertently put Manchester United ahead by punching Christian Eriksen's corner into his own net early in the second half. However, Cyriel Dessers quickly equalized for Rangers, seemingly setting the stage for a draw. But Fernandes' late winner ensured Manchester United's rise to fourth place in the league phase, reasserting their prowess on the European stage.
Ruben Amorim praised his team's resilience, especially highlighting Alejandro Garnacho's performance. "Garnacho was really important for United today and let's see in the next days," Amorim noted, emphasizing the young player's adaptability and growth on the field.
The victory was particularly significant for Manchester United, who had lost four of their previous five matches at Old Trafford. Amorim's earlier comments about this being the worst-ever United team had put pressure on the squad, but they demonstrated character and determination to secure the win.
The match also saw some injury concerns, with Matthijs De Ligt and Leny Yoro being substituted due to leg issues. Despite these setbacks, Manchester United maintained composure and organization throughout the game.
Ruben Amorim's impact on Manchester United has been notable. Under his leadership, the team has won all three of their Europa League matches, matching their total wins from 11 Premier League games under the Portuguese manager. This performance underscores Amorim's growing influence on the squad.
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim's counterpart, Philippe Clement, expressed mixed emotions following the defeat. He acknowledged feeling disappointed but also proud of his team's performance against Manchester United.
"I know we have to win, but we have to show the players that everybody matters." – Clement
Clement continued to commend his players for their adherence to tactics and their ability to remain organized and brave on the ball despite the outcome.
"I saw everybody gutted in the dressing room, disappointed that we lost after playing that kind of game." – Philippe Clement
"I am also [disappointed] clearly because want to win, to take the points we deserve also." – Philippe Clement
Despite the loss, Rangers remain unbeaten in Europe after seven fixtures and look forward to securing a top-eight finish with a favorable result against Steaua Bucharest next week.
Manchester United's victory also extends English teams' unbeaten streak against Scottish sides in European competitions to 20 matches since Celtic's win over Manchester United in the 2006-07 Champions League. This historical context adds further significance to the Red Devils' recent success.
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