Bruno Fernandes said ahead of Ruben Amorim's first home game in charge of Manchester United that winning the Europa League had to be the club's biggest target this season.

His 92nd-minute winner against Rangers at Old Trafford on Thursday night has significantly strengthened the club's chances of winning their first European trophy in eight years come May.

Following Cyriel Dessers' excellently taken equaliser two minutes from time, yet another inquest was on the cards. However, Fernandes' sweet connection with Lisandro Martinez's cross meant the mood and the headlines changed in an instant.

READ MORE: Man United could strike shock January transfer after £45m summer move

READ MORE: I dream of making it to the top level - I could do it with Manchester United and Ruben Amorim

United now sit fourth in the Europa League league phase table with one match left to play. The top eight will automatically progress to the round-of-16 and United know that a draw against FCSB in Romania next Thursday should be enough to see them through.

For all of United's problems both on and off the pitch this season, there is no better way to win a football match than the way they did against Rangers. Fernandes' strike sparked pandemonium and recent disappointments were forgotten about.

The challenge for Amorim and his players now is to bottle that feeling, build on it and salvage something from this season.

It felt as though United had turned a corner with their performances and results away at Liverpool and Arsenal earlier this month but they were brought back down to earth with a limp showing against Southampton, despite winning, before being beaten 3-1 by Brighton & Hove Albion three days later.

United's campaign has been littered with false dawns. That is highlighted in the fact they are still yet to win back-to-back Premier League games this term.

Sitting 13th in the standings ahead of this weekend's action, United's Premier League campaign is as good as over. They are unlikely to climb into the European places, meaning their focus as far as the league is concerned should be on attempting to restore some pride in the badge.

But on the European front there are two prizes that are very much worth fighting for: a trophy and Champions League qualification. The winners of the Europa League are automatically entered into the following season's Champions League, meaning United are still in with a chance of qualifying for Europe's premier club competition for 2025/26.

The Champions League is the most prestigious club competition in football, not least for its financial perks. Hours ahead of the win over Rangers, United issued a letter to their supporters warning them of ongoing difficulties they are facing in their battle to remain on the right side of football's financial laws.

"If we do not act now, we are in danger of falling to comply with PSR/FFP requirements," the club said in the letter. "We are currently making a significant loss each year - totalling over £300m in the past three years. This is not sustainable."

In desperate need of cash, the importance of Champions League qualification for United has never been greater. The competition offers lucrative revenue streams they need to take advantage of.

It makes the importance of the their Europa League campaign massive. Jose Mourinho dubbed United as one of the favourites to win the competition back in October and they are going to have to live up to that billing.

United have been far from perfect under Amorim, losing games and conceding goals far too often. But they remain a big fish in the Europa League.

The fact none of the casualties from this season's Champions League will drop into Uefa's secondary European competition next month strengthens United's chances of going the distance. The bulk of the Europa League this season is made up of European fodder that in the previous format would not have stood of chance of making it through to the knockout stages.

United have superior players to almost all of them and they should take advantage of that. In turn, that should drive them to keep their focus and not underestimate anyone amid the risk of embarrassment.

Securing Champions League qualification would not only boost United's books, but it would also make them a more attractive option come the summer transfer window. Players they are likely to target will want a place at Europe's top table.

Fernandes' goal against Rangers must act as the catalyst to drive them forward. After all, it was him that said winning the Europa League was the top target.