United wins battle of Britain as Rangers loses out
Bruno Fernandes scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Manchester United defeated Rangers 2-1 in their Battle of Britain UEFA Europa League clash at Old Trafford.
Jack Butland, a former Red Devils player, made a monumental error when he punched into the back of his own goal to put United in front early in the second half.
Cyriel Dessers's outstanding equaliser with two minutes of normal time left appeared to have earned the Gers a point but Fernandes proved captain fantastic with an excellent finish of his own in the dying embers.
A win for United leaves it on the brink of a top-eight finish while it is guaranteed at least a play-off spot, but Rangers still has work to do to ensure its own progression.
There were few chances in the first half but Matthijs de Ligt did have a goal ruled out when Leny Yoro was adjudged to have fouled Robin Propper.
But the second 45 was a barnstorming encounter and the touchpaper was lit when Butland punched Christian Eriksen's corner into his own goal.
Alejandro Garnacho, linked with a move away in the transfer window, struck the post and Harry Maguire headed wide from Eriksen's pinpoint cross.
Those chances appeared to prove costly when Dessers took down a ball over the top that Maguire misjudged and fired into the bottom-right corner on the spin.
But United had the final say when Fernandes stole in front of Jefte to expertly steer Lisandro Martinez's cross past Butland on the volley and settle a pulsating contest.
United boss Ruben Amorim was pleased with certain aspects of United's play but concedes it needs to be more composed in front of goal.
"We did well. We played better with the ball. I think we started well and then we lost control of the game because of some bad decisions," he said.
"We were so near the second goal with so many chances.
"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."
Gers boss Clement was proud of his team's effort but could not help rueing such a late setback.
"It's very mixed feelings at the moment, in that we are gutted that we lost because we play games to win," he said.
"The team wanted to do something special here, they were very close to doing that and for sure in these circumstances with injuries and the players we missed [it was difficult].
"But I'm also very proud of our mentality, the way they followed the plan, we were brave on the ball and created chances, we didn't just defend.
"There were a lot of positives but we are disappointed with the result because we always want to win."
