Manchester United beat Rangers 2-1 in a Battle of Britain clash at Old Trafford in the Europa League.

A Jack Butland own goal had given United the lead in the second half, with the former Old Trafford loanee punching the ball into the back of the net from a Christian Eriksen corner.

But when Cyriel Dessers struck in the last minute to pull Rangers level it looked like United were set for another disappointing result, only for Lisandro Martinez to send in a stunning cross which Bruno Fernandes rattled home in front of the Stretford End.

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Magical Martinez

Lisandro Martinez should be used as an attacking weapon more often by United. He scored brilliantly at Anfield and forced Jack Butland into a smart first-half save at Old Trafford with a forward run into a similar position.

Then, just when it looked like United had thrown it away against Rangers, he strolled into another advanced area and produced the best cross of the match, finding Fernandes at the back post and the finish matched the quality of the cross.

United's players raced with Fernandes to the Stretford End corner flag, but Tyrell Malacia turned on his heels and ran to Martinez. It was an astute and aware moment of appreciation for a stunning assist from United's new attacking threat.

Rangers invasion

Around half an hour before kick-off, it became clear that hundreds, maybe thousands, of Rangers fans had managed to get tickets in the home end at Old Trafford. Reports were flooding social media of Rangers fans singing songs and taking up seats in what should be home ends.

Most blatantly, there was a group of at least 50 Rangers fans who had bought tickets right next to the away end, but in the home section. United insisted they had taken the "strictest possible measures" to prevent Rangers fans from buying tickets in home sections but they clearly hadn't worked. When Dessers smashed in Rangers' late equaliser there were plenty of visiting fans celebrating in home areas.

In truth, does anyone believe that Sir Jim Ratcliffe cares who fills seats as long as they are filled? Many United fans believe that block of seats would have been repackaged as hospitality and sold at a higher price. Rangers fans snapped them up because it was next to the away end.

This happened on the same day that unnamed United officials wrote back to the 1958 group of fans, basically warning them that ticket prices would go up next season. As if performances weren't bad enough, United are treating their match-going supporters with contempt.

Bayindir appreciation

When Altay Bayindir clawed a dangerous Rangers corner away from under his own crossbar and took a knee in the face from Toby Collyer in the process, he got the thanks of plenty of his United teammates.

There wasn't too much concern about his fitness, but a few of his defenders went to the prone goalkeeper to congratulate him on his efforts. Given he conceded from a corner at Tottenham, it is considered an area of weakness now, but on this occasion he did superbly, and his teammates appreciated it.

The decision to start Bayindir after Andre Onana's mistake against Brighton felt telling. Onana had started all six Europa League games this season until Thursday night. It may well signal the start of a real battle for the No.1 spot at Old Trafford and Bayindir has made his case recently.

Set-piece threat

United's goal against Rangers won't live long in the memory. Harry Maguire was causing some concern in the penalty area, but Butland's blunder was a bad one.

It was at least a good delivery from Christian Eriksen and came on a night when United looked more like a threat from set-pieces. Carlos Fernandes looked delighted when the goal went in and was a happy presence on the touchline for once.

United defended set-pieces well and should have scored more. Matthijs de Ligt had a perfectly good goal from an Amad corner ruled out in the first half, and Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte missed excellent chances from set-pieces in the second half.

Fernandes, Amorim's right-hand man, has looked stressed by United's set-piece deficiencies at times, but this was a happier night for him when he made his way to the touchline.

De Ligt chat

It wasn't a great night on the injury front for United. De Ligt came off at half-time and only reappeared 15 minutes into the second half, walking down the touchline with a medical team member and then stopping for a quick debrief on the problem with Amorim.

Leny Yoro was also forced out of action early in the second half, and when he limped off, it forced Diogo Dalot into a role as the right-sided centre-back. With Noussair Mazraoui rested as a precaution after picking up a knock against Brighton it left United stretched at the back.