Harry Maguire’s own words must have been ringing in his ears after watching the Rangers substitute Cyriel Dessers take advantage of his dreadful blunder to rifle the ball hard and low into the bottom corner.

The Manchester United defender, one of the few to emerge with any credit in this torrid season, had spoken the day before about how the team were “not mentally focused” enough to see through games but now he was in danger of having his own assessment rammed back down his throat.

When James Tavernier launched the ball upfield two minutes from time, it should have been a routine headed clearance for Maguire. But the England centre-back completely misjudged the flight of the ball, allowing Dessers to bring it down on the turn and slam home a brilliant finish.

Ruben Amorim’s short reign as United manager has been littered with individual errors and here was another to add to the catalogue of self-sabotage. But just when it appeared that Maguire’s mistake had gifted Rangers a dramatic late equaliser, Bruno Fernandes rode to the rescue to spare his team-mate’s blushes and Amorim more pain.

Racing into the penalty area, the United captain met Lisandro Martinez’s lovely inswinging cross with a firm volley to rifle the ball under Jack Butland and secure a victory that now leaves them strongly positioned to qualify automatically for the Europa League round of 16. A point away to FCSB in Bucharest next week will guarantee it.

In truth, United should not have been in such a position – and not simply because of Maguire’s lapse. In front courtesy of a stroke of good fortune when Butland punched the ball into his own net from a corner, United then proceeded to miss a glut of chances as their familiar failings in front of goal made this far harder than it needed to be.

Alejandro Garnacho hit a post, Maguire sent an inviting header wide when he looked certain to score and Manuel Ugarte had a header of his own saved by Butland. All things considered, it was a good job Butland came bearing gifts because United’s toothlessness is a real problem for Amorim.

Even against a patched-up Rangers side missing 10 players, including many starters, they made heavy going of it. They were the better side but it was a pretty low bar. Butland never did get to play for United when he was on loan at Old Trafford from Crystal Palace two years ago but he may never have been more popular among his former team-mates than here.

United, unfortunate to have a goal disallowed in the first period, seemed to be going nowhere particularly fast when they won a corner and then watched Butland punch the ball from Christian Eriksen’s delivery straight into his own goal.

This was Butland’s first appearance for Rangers after missing the previous six matches with “significant” internal bleeding in a leg that forced him to spend New Year in hospital. Sadly for the former England goalkeeper, it was not the return he would have hoped for.

United’s best passage of play in a drab first half low on quality and chances came when Fernandes shaped to shoot from just outside the penalty area but instead slipped a clever pass in behind. Amad Diallo, darting through on Robin Propper’s blindside, timed his run perfectly.

Any sort of lift on his first time shot and it would probably have been a goal but he aimed low for the far corner and Butland stuck out a leg and saved. United’s most imaginative football under Amorim has tended to involve Fernandes and Diallo linking up but, beyond that, you have to wonder where the goals are going to come from, at least a ready-enough supply of them to drag the team forward.

Joshua Zirkzee did not offer much. Garnacho was busy and tried but he is struggling in front of goal. The uncertainty over his future cannot help. As for Marcus Rashford, the exile continues. The striker was here but in the stands with the fans after again being omitted from the match-day squad.

“Come on the boys,” he posted on Instagram in support of his team-mates. That is 10 matches he has now missed. If an exit route is not organised this month, Amorim is going to have to find a way to reintegrate the player, who has made it clear he is ready for selection if called upon and has been putting in extra training to keep himself fit. Amorim is trying to send a message over Rashford but it is weakened when the players he keeps sending out are struggling.

The head coach had warned that Rangers would be out to “exploit our situation” and they came close to doing just that early on when they twice fashioned decent chances.

A heavy touch by Toby Collyer, preferred to Casemiro with Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo rested on the bench, invited a quick turnover that culminated in Hamza Igamane releasing Nicolas Raskin. Collyer could not recover his ground but was fortunate Raskin overran the ball as he broke through.

Ridvan Yilmaz then clipped the ball over the bar after Rangers had been forced wide. Altay Bayindir saved a Yilmaz volley after Tavernier had cut open United with a ball over the top.

Rangers were largely untroubled in those opening 45 minutes, even if they got a significant slice of good fortune when United had a goal ruled out. A corner by Diallo was headed in by Matthijs de Ligt but Leny Yoro was judged to have fouled Propper, even if the contact with the Rangers defender appeared minimal.

In the end, it did not matter. United got the victory Amorim admitted his side “truly” needed.

10:34 PM GMT

Amorim on the De Ligt substitution

10:28 PM GMT

Philippe Clement speaking after the game

10:24 PM GMT

Rangers not the first victims

10:20 PM GMT

Amorim sees signs of improvements

10:18 PM GMT

Collyer economical with the ball

10:14 PM GMT

Celebration to desolation

10:04 PM GMT

Fernandes speaking after the game

10:00 PM GMT

FT: Manchester United 2 Rangers 1

Manchester United will surely secure a top-eight finish in the Europa League, this win moves them onto 15 points with a game to play. It was not the most convincing performance, although there were some positive individual performances including from Garnacho. Credit Martinez and Fernandes for their two pieces of quality to spare Maguire an inquest for his part in the Rangers equaliser.

09:56 PM GMT

94 minutes: Manchester United 2 Rangers 1

It was a fairly conservative first half by both teams, but what a finish. Rio Ferdinand is pleading with the United players to “MANAGE THE GAME” as Amad tries another dribble through bodies. Rangers concede a foul on halfway and United should be home and hosed.

09:55 PM GMT

GOOOAAALL! Fernandes bails United out of trouble

Jack Butland and his team-mates are on their haunches, but Fernandes has pulled it out of the fire in the 92nd minute. It is lazy defending from Jefte, who allowed Fernandes to run off him at the back post. It was a fine delivery from Martinez, and Fernandes drilled the ball past Butland with a first-time finish.

09:53 PM GMT

90 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 1

There will be five minutes of stoppage time to play. Ruben Amorim is urging his team forward. But the only singing you can hear at Old Trafford is coming from the away end (and sections of the home end).

09:51 PM GMT

GOOOOAAALL! Out of nothing, Dessers levels for Rangers

United fans were starting to think about their journey home or post-match pint, and now the ball is in the back of their net. Harry Maguire was caught underneath a loopy long ball forward, eased out of the way by Dessers, who punished him with two brilliant touches. One touch to take the ball under his spell, turn, and then the second touch to fire beyond Bayindir with his left foot. A finish worthy of the best strikers to grace Old Trafford.

09:48 PM GMT

86 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

Hojlund barrels into the penalty area and makes a nuisance of himself, which helps United shift up the pitch. Ugarte then does well to win a loose ball in midfield, before Malacia wins the ball with a strong challenge on Igamane. Garnacho then stings the palms of Butland with a shot from distance.

09:45 PM GMT

83 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

Rangers hit the post! It was a delightful chipped pass by the youngster Rice into the box for Dessers, and he lifted the ball over Bayindir only to see his attempt bounce off the post. Dessers may well have been offside, but that will make Old Trafford nervous.

09:44 PM GMT

82 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

Zirkzee off, Hojlund on as Amorim makes another change. Hojlund’s stretching runs and movement is far better, Zirzkee is better at making it stick. Neither offers the full package.

09:43 PM GMT

80 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

Jefte is shown a yellow card for tripping Amad who was simply too skilful for him. United free-kick in a promising crossing position wide right.

And Butland redeems himself somewhat for the earlier error. Ugarte was unmarked on the six-yard line, and his flashing header was kept out by the Rangers goalkeeper. The away team look lightweight after introducing so many youngsters.

09:40 PM GMT

78 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

Amad slices a shot over the bar when he perhaps had time to steady himself. United had a grip of this game for the first 15 minutes of the half, but they are allowing the contest to see-saw. Dessers butchers a promising counter, before Fernandes buys a foul from the Rangers forward.

09:39 PM GMT

76 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

Dessers was the wrong side of Maguire in the penalty area, and both players had a chunk of the other’s shirt. Maguire taking a chance there, but nothing given. The Rangers forward gives the referee a quizzical look.

09:36 PM GMT

74 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

Another promising moment for Rangers through Jefte. The ball sat up nicely for him to hit on the volley from the edge of the box, caught it sweetly, but it was straight at Bayindir. The visitors starting to carry more of a threat though.

09:33 PM GMT

72 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

Half a chance for Rangers from a free-kick launched into the box, but they did not gamble on the loose ball. Mainoo and Ugarte are about to be introduced by United.

09:31 PM GMT

70 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

Some sloppiness from both teams, with Yilmaz and then Fernandes misplacing passes. Clement is about to introduce Dessers for Bajrami, so Rangers will have their two strikers on the pitch for the game’s final stages.

09:29 PM GMT

67 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

Harry Maguire missed a glorious chance from a wide free-kick, heading past the post when it looked easier to score. Rangers have been shaky from set-pieces, they could easily have conceded three from them tonight. United looking comfortable now.

09:25 PM GMT

63 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

United turning the screw now as Butland punches away for a corner. The Old Trafford crowd are singing “Viva Garnacho!”, a message to the club that they do not want to see the young winger sold. Eriksen then concedes a foul.

09:24 PM GMT

61 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

United oh so close to the second goal to put this game to bed. Dalot with a lovely touch on the edge of the attacking third, and he works the ball wide to Amad. The pull back flicks off a Rangers defender to Garnacho, seven yards out, but his effort which was dug out from under his feet hit the post.

09:21 PM GMT

59 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

Butland is almost left short by Propper, but he sorts his feet out just in time. There also look some tired legs for Rangers, who have a punishing injury list.

To make matters worse, Cerny has just gone down with what looks a muscular problem. Rangers bringing on another youngster in Henry Curtis. Cerny and Balogun lost to injury tonight, two of Clement’s best players. Two of the Rangers subs, Curtis included, are 18-year-olds.

09:17 PM GMT

55 minutes: Manchester United 1 Rangers 0

Moments after the goal, Amad tried an overhead kick which flew over the bar. Amorim has made another change: Malacia replaces Yoro, which means Dalot to right centre-back. United should be taking a grip of this match and putting Rangers to the sword from here.

09:15 PM GMT

GOOOAAALLL! United lead through Butland howler

It was a regulation corner delivery from Eriksen, but Butland makes a pig’s ear of it. He was reaching to punch clear in front of Harry Maguire but the ball skewed off the top of his hand back into the net. You would think Butland was Scottish with goalkeeping like that...

09:13 PM GMT

52 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

United getting closer now, Yilmaz guilty of slipping and losing the ball at the edge of his own box. Fernandes slips a pass to Garnacho, who returns the favour, and the United captain’s shot is deflected agonisingly over the bar.

09:12 PM GMT

51 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Cerny takes a shot on from distance, but Bayindir was right behind it and his hands were safe. Amorim also has Hojlund, Mainoo and Ugarte to call upon in this second half.

09:10 PM GMT

49 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

That was better from United, Amad drifting inside and finding Eriksen with a reverse pass. Tavernier reads play well to clear the low cross in front of Zirzkee. The resulting Amad corner was headed off the line with Butland caught underneath it.

At the other end, young Rice shoots over with an ambitious volley from the edge of the box. United still vulnerable to fast breaks.

09:08 PM GMT

47 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Dalot makes a hash of a clearance near the halfway line and slices the ball behind him for a Rangers corner. Fernandes heads clear. United surely need to try and stress what is a makeshift Rangers defence.

09:07 PM GMT

We are back under way

United get the second half started.

09:06 PM GMT

Half-time changes

Harry Maguire is replacing De Ligt. Rangers have lost Barron and Balogun to knocks in the first half, they are replaced by McCausland and Rice. Those are enforced changes and mean Clement has to completely reshape his back four: Tavernier to centre-back, Yilmaz to right back.

08:59 PM GMT

Ticket prices on the agenda again at Old Trafford

08:58 PM GMT

Rio Ferdinand’s view on United’s disallowed goal

08:50 PM GMT

HT: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Both teams have had chances in an even first half. United have shaded the general play, but there is not much to separate them. Amorim will just be pleased to make it this far unscathed after 12 games without a clean sheet and conceding in the first five minutes three times in their last five at Old Trafford.

08:48 PM GMT

45 minutes+3: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Igamane has been impressive for Rangers up top, he loves rolling his studs over the ball. In that case, he rolled his studs over the foot of Lisandro Martinez and concedes a foul.

08:46 PM GMT

45 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

There will be three minutes of stoppage time to play. Eriksen has showed his class in moments tonight.

08:43 PM GMT

42 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Dalot’s cross is headed clear by Propper after another patient United attack. Amad then spreads play back out to Dalot, and Martinez brings an excellent save out of Butland with a swerving shot from just outside the box. The United defender showed at Anfield that he can strike the ball sweetly.

08:41 PM GMT

Rangers fans in the home end at Old Trafford

08:40 PM GMT

39 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Igamane’s shot from 25 yards takes a deflection and requires a smart save from Bayindir to keep it out. Rangers corner. In the build-up to the chance, there was a lovely pass straight through Eriksen’s legs which opened up the United midfield.

Tavernier’s delivery from corners is superb, and this one is whipped right on top of Bayindir, who did well to palm clear.

08:36 PM GMT

36 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Eriksen and Amad combine well, but the winger’s pass towards Zirkzee was cut out. Fernandes then found Amad in the box with a laser-guided through ball but Butland rushed out of his goal and made himself big to block the shot. United’s best piece of football so far.

08:35 PM GMT

34 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Garnacho with another impressive piece of tracking back to deny Tavernier a clear run forward. Considering the uncertainty over his future, the United winger has been their best player so far. Rangers are in their defensive shape and happy to let United have sterile possession in front of them.

08:33 PM GMT

Rashford watching on from stands

08:32 PM GMT

32 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Dalot flicks the Rangers corner behind for another. Tavernier’s inswinger was a tester for Bayindir but he did well to punch clear. Amad with a sumptuous piece of control to bring the ball down and win a foul in midfield.

08:30 PM GMT

30 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Rangers looking for another sweeping cross from right to left but this time the flag goes up for offside. Collyer caught on the ball in his own half again but Martinez intercepted Cerny’s pass. After some more good hold up play from Igamane, Cerny gets the chance to run at Dalot and wins a corner.

08:27 PM GMT

27 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Rangers had those two early chances, but in general they are struggling to keep the ball and move up the pitch as a team. United have control, but possibly not enough threat. Will the home team’s greater individual quality eventually tell?

08:25 PM GMT

25 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0 – De Ligt goal ruled out

A let off for Rangers after De Ligt plants a header home from a few yards out from the corner. Yoro is penalised for a push on Propper and the referee gave the foul on pitch. VAR upholds the decision and the game remains goalless. United will feel Propper went down too easily.

That looks a very harsh decision to rule out United’s goal. De Ligt scores with a header from Amad’s corner but Yoro is penalised for a perceived foul on Propper, who goes down very easily under not a great deal of contact. Looks a very soft award of a free-kick to Rangers.

08:23 PM GMT

22 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Igamane shows some silky touches to hold the ball up, and a cute pass into the area is defended on the stretch by De Ligt. To borrow one of Arsene Wenger’s favourite phrases, United look like a team playing with the handbrake on. The ball is not moving quickly enough.

That was a good chance though! The ball was pulled behind the Rangers defence into Garnacho, but he skied his shot over the bar. It took a deflection, corner.

08:20 PM GMT

20 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Fernandes lets fly from 25 yards with his weaker foot, but the effort was always serving wide. Collyer has snapped into a few challenges so far, he is bringing some industry to the United midfield. United’s wing-backs are pressing Rangers’ full-backs which is asking Yoro and Martinez to defend the flanks against wingers.

08:17 PM GMT

16 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Garnacho has been bright so far, but his shot from the corner of the box is high, wide and handsome. De Ligt is pushing into midfield, and his pass backwards was almost cut out which brings groans from the crowd. That tactic of moving a centre-back forward is causing United problems.

08:14 PM GMT

14 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Those Rangers chances have sent a hush around Old Trafford, and United are hesitant when it comes to pressing Rangers high up the pitch. Amad argues he should have a foul, but nothing it it and the ball runs out for a Rangers throw-in. Collyer then battles for a 50:50 to win a corner.

A former Rangers centre-forward is in attendance:

08:11 PM GMT

10 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Rangers with the first glaring chance of the game and the fail to take it. Collyer was caught in possession in his own half, and Raskin was sent through on goal but his touch was clumsy and Bayindir was able to smother. United jittery in their build-up play again, which has been a problem at home. At least they have avoided conceding in the first 10 minutes.

Not for the want of trying though... Rangers with another decent chance. Cross in from the right is met by Yilmaz but his side-foot volley was saved by Bayindir.

08:07 PM GMT

6 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Decent start from the home team, making Rangers defend their penalty area. Balogun well-positioned again to clear a low Eriksen cross. Amad quickly into his stride up against Raskin, but his ball into the box cannot find Zirkzee. Cerny then brings the ball forward in Rangers’ first real attack, but Yoro intercepts his pass.

08:04 PM GMT

4 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Dalot defends the switch towards Cerny well. Rangers are going to look for that pass all game, trying to get their most talented attacking player on the ball.

Dalot then combines well with Garnacho down the left, and the winger shows his speed but Balogun slides in with a well-timed challenge.

08:03 PM GMT

2 minutes: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0

Garnacho with an early chance to run at Rangers but the blue shirts are quickly snapping at his heels. Collyer is defnitely playing in central midfield, behind Fernandes and Eriksen. The home team are seeing most of the ball. The Rangers back four trying to avoid dropping too deep. Nice dart inside from Garnacho, but his shot was straight at Butland.

08:00 PM GMT

KICK OFF!

Rangers, playing in all blue, get the game under way.

07:58 PM GMT

The players are on their way out at Old Trafford

The Stretford End unfurls a banner in memory of Denis Law. These Europa League Thursdays can feel sedate, but there is a crackle in the air at Old Trafford, helped by the travelling Rangers fans.

07:54 PM GMT

The packed away end at Old Trafford

07:44 PM GMT

Clement’s pre-match thoughts

07:40 PM GMT

Tottenham have held on in Hoffenheim

Spurs were dominant early in a 3-2 victory but hanging on late in a nervy finish. You can follow reaction to that game here, and the result takes Spurs above United and Rangers and into the top eight of the Europa League table.

07:26 PM GMT

Amad faces a former loan team

Manchester United’s man of the moment enjoyed a spell on loan at Rangers in 2022, scoring on his debut against Ross County.

“Watching him in training, he reminded me a bit of James Maddison, who I’d played with at Aberdeen,” former Rangers player Ryan Jack told BBC Sport.

“When you looked at Amad, you knew he had something different. There were things that were next level about him. Passing drills, finishing drills, small-sided games. The way he struck a ball.”

07:15 PM GMT

Garnacho starts despite Chelsea’s interest

Matt Law reports that Chelsea are lining up an opening bid for Alejandro Garnacho. In spite of his uncertain future, Garnacho starts in one of Amorim’s two attacking roles behind the centre-forward. There is no place in the squad for Marcus Rashford, though.

07:04 PM GMT

A look at the team news

It always takes some time to compute the United team news, which ridiculously is published by the club in numerical order.

It looks as follows in a 3-4-2-1: Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Amad, Eriksen, Collyer, Dalot; Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee

Yoro has had a rough ride in his last few games, so this is a chance to settle down. Toby Collyer has played most of his football at left-back for the first team, but looks to be playing in midfield. Unless of course, Dalot plays as the right-wing back with Collyer left and Fernandes deeper next to Eriksen. Zirkzee gets the nod over Hojlund. Strange to see Mainoo and Ugarte on the bench.

Rangers have a lot of youngsters among their subs with 13 senior players absent through injury. As he showed against Tottenham, Cerny is their biggest threat.

06:59 PM GMT

This suggests United need to be wary

06:53 PM GMT

Rangers team and subs

06:51 PM GMT

United team and subs

06:45 PM GMT

Clement promises a front-footed approach

06:41 PM GMT

The last time Rangers fans came to Manchester...

When an unexpected 130,000 Rangers fans came to Manchester for the Uefa Cup final 17 years ago, the city experienced a night of chaos, violence and criminal damage which a judge compared to the Blitz. Ben Rumsby tells the story of the night of shame.

06:28 PM GMT

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06:27 PM GMT

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06:26 PM GMT

Two grand old clubs at a low ebb in their modern history

Manchester United hosting Rangers is one of the highlights of this season’s Europa League league phase but both clubs are at something of a low ebb. It might not be the worst Rangers team in history, to echo Ruben Amorim’s verdict on United, but they are seriously limited and have not won on English soil since victory at Leeds United 33 years ago.

In more positive news, both clubs are well-placed to secure a top-eight finish and automatic qualification place for the last 16. United are seventh on 12 points from six points, with Rangers one point and a place behind them. The models suggest 16 points should be enough.

Despite both clubs’ storied histories, they have only played four competitive matches. The first of those came in the Champions League group stage in 2002-03, when Phil Neville was an unlikely match-winner in a 1-0 victory at Ibrox. United were 3-0 winners at Old Trafford. At the same stage of the Champions League in 2010-11, Rangers took a point away from Manchester but suffered defeat at home owing to a late Wayne Rooney penalty.

Philippe Clement said in his pre-match press conference that they would not park the bus, and given United’s defensive troubles and drained confidence why would you? Rangers’ domestic form has been very patchy though, winning only three of their last seven in the Scottish Premiership, but two of those were resounding 3-0 wins over rivals Celtic and Rangers.

United will be thanking their lucky stars that Amad Diallo spared them defeat against Southampton last week, or else their league position would be even more dire. Marcus Rashford trained this week and declared himself ready to play, but winger Alejandro Garnacho is subject to interest from Chelsea. For all United’s problems, they remain strong favourites to put Rangers to the sword tonight.

Full team news on the way shortly.