Manchester United secured a dramatic late victory against Rangers, with Bruno Fernandes scoring the decisive goal in added time. The win marked the sixth in 16 matches under Ruben Amorim, whose tenure has been marked by inconsistency.
The game seemed destined for a disappointing draw when Harry Maguire’s missed header allowed Cyriel Dessers to equalize in the 88th minute. However, Fernandes struck late, capitalizing on a chaotic sequence that began with Jack Butland’s own goal earlier in the match.
United’s performance was far from convincing. Rangers, sitting second in the Scottish Premiership, came close to leaving Old Trafford with a memorable draw. Despite the victory, United’s vulnerabilities were evident, with a fragile defense, lackluster midfield coordination, and an attack that struggled to impose itself.
Fernandes acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating, “It’s not about the character. We have to prove that in the 90 minutes we can’t [only] bring that out when we concede a goal.”
Rangers took advantage of United’s nervousness early on, with Toby Collyer’s misstep in midfield leading to an opportunity for Ridvan Yilmaz. Matthijs de Ligt also had a shaky moment, gifting possession to the opposition. Rangers tested United’s goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, multiple times, with Bayindir making a key save from Yilmaz’s volley.
United’s early attempts to break through were unconvincing, with speculative efforts from Alejandro Garnacho and Fernandes, as well as an ineffective corner from Amad Diallo. A promising move from Joshua Zirkzee showcased a rare moment of creativity, but it failed to produce a goal.
The first half ended with little to separate the teams, and Amorim needed to inspire his side to find a breakthrough. The second half began with a series of missed opportunities, including a wasted chance by Bailey Rice for Rangers.
Harry Maguire replaced De Ligt for the second half and played a role in the chaotic opening goal. Christian Eriksen’s corner led to Butland’s misjudged punch, which deflected into his own net. The goal brought relief to the home side but also highlighted their reliance on set pieces rather than open-play dominance.
Amorim made further substitutions to strengthen the team, introducing Tyrell Malacia, Manuel Ugarte, and Kobbie Mainoo. Despite these changes, United’s defense faltered again when Dessers equalized, capitalizing on Maguire’s missed header.
In the dying moments, Fernandes delivered the decisive blow, ensuring United secured the three points. The victory was crucial but underscored the challenges Amorim faces in stabilizing the team. United’s next test will be against Fulham, where they must address their defensive frailties and lack of attacking coherence to avoid further struggles.
