Bruno Fernandes' last-gasp heroics clinch Europa League win for Man Utd

Bruno Fernandes delivered the decisive blow with a stoppage-time winner, just minutes after Cyriel Dessers had equalized for Rangers, nullifying an earlier own goal by Jack Butland.

The match at Old Trafford was fraught with tension from the outset. United, who had been struggling to find form, looked set to secure a straightforward win when Butland, once a backup goalkeeper for United, inadvertently scored an own goal from a Christian Eriksen corner.

However, the game took a dramatic turn when Dessers capitalized on a defensive error by Harry Maguire to level the score late in the game.

Amorim, reflecting on the match, stated, "We didn't deserve that draw at the moment; it was fair for us to win the game, a game we knew is tough." He acknowledged the fluctuating control of the game but maintained that his team deserved the victory based on the chances created.

The win has propelled United to fourth in the Europa League standings, with a point likely to be enough to secure a spot in the Round of 16 when they face FCSB in Bucharest.

This victory was particularly sweet for Amorim, who had previously suffered defeats against Rangers while managing Braga. Asked if this was revenge, he dismissed the notion, saying, "No, it was a long time ago... This was a victory that we truly needed in this moment."

Rangers, dealing with an injury crisis, were without eight players and had to make strategic changes at halftime. Their manager, Philippe Clement, expressed mixed emotions post-match: "Everybody is gutted in the dressing room, disappointed that we lost after playing that sort of game... but on the other hand, I'm very proud of what the team did today."

Young talents like Alejandro Garnacho played significant roles for United, sparking interest from clubs like Napoli and Chelsea.

Amorim praised Garnacho, noting, "He's here, he's a player for Manchester United... He was really important for us today."

Despite his earlier blunder, Butland made several crucial saves for Rangers, showcasing the unpredictable nature of a goalkeeper's performance as Clement noted, "Jack saved us a few times also in the second half so that is the life of a goalkeeper."

This match was not just about the scoreline but the resilience and tactical adjustments both teams made under pressure, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting continuation in the Europa League.

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