Manchester United 2-1 Rangers: Fernandes proves captain fantastic to settle Battle of Britain

Jack Butland, a former Red Devils player, made a monumental error when he punched into the back of his own goal to put United in front early in the second half on Thursday.

Cyriel Dessers' outstanding equaliser with two minutes of normal time left appeared to have earned the Gers a point but Fernandes proved captain fantastic with an excellent finish of his own in the dying embers.

A win for United leaves them on the brink of a top-eight finish while they are guaranteed at least a play-off spot, but Rangers still have work to do to ensure their own progression.

There were few chances in the first half but Matthijs de Ligt did harshly have a goal ruled out when Leny Yoro was adjudged to have fouled Robin Propper.

But the second 45 was a barnstorming encounter and the touchpaper was lit when Butland comically punched Christian Eriksen's corner into his own goal.

Alejandro Garnacho, linked with a move away in the transfer window, struck the post and Harry Maguire headed wastefully wide from Eriksen's pin-point cross.

Those chances appeared to prove costly when Dessers brilliantly took down a ball over the top that Maguire misjudged and fired into the bottom-right corner on the spin.

But United had the final say when Fernandes stole in front of Jefte to expertly steer Lisandro Martinez's cross past Butland on the volley and settle a pulsating contest.

lutch. pic.twitter.com/1WNJmTvGPi

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 23, 2025

United's dramatic victory means they have now chalked up four straight wins in the Europa League, their longest winning streak in the competition since a run of five between September and November 2022.

Moreover, they have now scored in seven straight games in Europe's secondary competition, their best streak since a run of 10, which also came in 2022.