World media reacts as Rangers sinner Butland slapped with the most hurtful insult over his Man Utd status
Forget Storm Eowyn.
For four brief minutes it looked like Storm Cyriel was going to blow Rangers a huge step closer towards the Europa League last 16. In the end, it was the failure of Philippe Clement’s men to batten down the hatches at the back that cost them a historic result at the Theatre of Dreams. Bruno Fernandes’ stoppage-time winner was every bit as devastating as the weather system set to unleash 100mph winds on Scotland today.
It was so cruel on a side that did magnificently to take United deep into stoppage time before giving way. It was a brave show from Clement’s men, all the more so considering they were forced to turn to kids Bailey Rice and Findlay Curtis as another round of injury misfortune struck. Rangers had to race to the runway last night as they sped to get in front of Eowyn. As for Jack Butland, he couldn’t get out of town quick enough either after his horror OG gave his old United side the lead just after the break. Here is how the world media reacted to the big one.
READ MORE: Dundee Utd groundshare with Dundee slapped down by Mark Ogren as John Nelms sent back to square one
Daily Mirror (London)
"There can be no disguising how unconvincing this United performance was, but there can be no understating how important the victory is for Amorim. As well as thanking his captain, Amorim owes a debt of gratitude to Jack Butland, who probably always fancied being a darling of the Stretford End during his five months with Manchester United, but was never given a chance by Erik ten Hag. Unfortunately for himself and Rangers, Butland's moment came a good yearand-a-half after his loan spell at Old Trafford ended. On the ropes, United needed a lucky punch and Butland delivered, aiming a right hander at a Christian Eriksen corner early in the second half and only succeeding in sending it back into his own net."
L'Equipe (France)
"Manchester United had a completely crazy end to the match against Glasgow Rangers, whom they eventually beat 2-1).After opening the score on a Christian Eriksen corner deflected into his own goal by Jack Butland, the Red Devils thought they were living a nightmare in their Old Trafford theatre of dreams when Cyriel Dessers got the better of Harry Maguire to beat Altay Bayindir with a shot on the turn (89th). But the Mancunians finally snatched victory in added time thanks to Bruno Fernandes who perfectly recovered a sublime opening from Lisandro Martinez."
Guardian (United Kingdom)
"And it is at moments like these (the winner) that you realise there is still a beating human heart to this club, still a club in there worth saving, and at moments like these it matters not that this was Europe's second-tier competition and an opponent of high Championship level, that United had enough chances to win the game many times over and should have sealed it much earlier.
"What matters is the moment of communion: of suffering together and healing together, of realising that this actually still means something. And it matters that Ruben Amorim does not simply shrug and issue forgettable technocratic soundbites about working hard, but that he smashes televisions and talks about this being the worst United side in history, because this is a shower of nonsense, and he is quite frankly furious about it. The anger might not be wise. It might not always be smart. But it does at least come from a place of something real."
Manchester Evening News (Manchester)
"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."
