Rio Ferdinand has slammed the decision to disallow Matthijs de Ligt's goal as Manchester United saw their opener chalked off at Old Trafford - in their latest Europa League showdown.

The Dutchman rose highest to steer home past Jack Butland from Amad's corner shortly before the half-hour mark. However, the celebrations were cut short when Belgian referee Erik Lambrechts awarded a free-kick.

It was adjudged that Leny Yoro has fouled the Rangers defender as they moved towards the front-post. Propper appeared to go to ground following a collision with the Frenchman, which was deemed enough to rule out the opening goal of the game. VAR checked the passage and felt there was no clear and obvious error from the original decision.

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The former United defender, who was on commentary for TNT Sports, was left aghast by that call and criticised the 31-year-old defender for falling "like a pack of cards".

He said: "I'm not having that, that's so soft. He's leaned on him slightly and he's gone down like a pack of cards."

Co-commentator and former Rangers talisman Ally McCoist was in agreement with Ferdinand but felt that, once the decision had been made by the referee, it was difficult to overturn the decision.

"I don't disagree with your Rio but, once the referee gives it, there's enough for him not to change his mind," said the Scot. "It's Yoro on Propper, difficult to gauge the force, but I'm with Rio - it's soft. But once he gives it, he's not going to change it."

Rangers had the best openings in the early exchanges with Altay Bayindir smothering well to deny Nicolas Raskin before Ridvan Yilmaz forced the Turkish shot-stopper into a reflex save shortly after. Alejandro Garnacho, who earned a start despite interest from Chelsea and Napoli, came close but saw his goal-bound effort bravely headed away by Raskin.