Yahoo Sports Man Utd v Rangers LIVE: Latest score and goal updates as British giants clash in Europa League
Manchester United host Rangers in the Europa League this evening, with Ruben Amorim’s side looking to take a step towards the last 16 at Old Trafford.
United lost 3-1 to Brighton last weekend and have little else to fight for in the league, but the Europa League offers a chance to salvage their season.
Winning the competition looks like United’s only hope of getting anywhere near European football next season and, while that looks a way off at present, Amorim will want to get through to the last 16 with minimal fuss.
United sit in seventh in the league phase table ahead of kick-off and they face a Rangers side who are one point and one place below them despite their domestic struggles.
Follow all the latest build-up and team news from Old Trafford below:
Man Utd vs Rangers LIVE
Manchester United host Rangers in the Europa League, with kick-off at 8pm | Live on TNT Sports
United sit in seventh, in the automatic qualification places by one point
Rangers are one place and one point below the hosts in the league phase table
Manchester United FC 0 - 0 Rangers FC
HALF-TIME! Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:57 , Will Castle
‘Soft’ will be the word on everyone’s mouths in Old Trafford after Matthijs de Ligt’s header was ruled out for push on Robin Propper.
Ruben Amorim will feel hard done by at the break, even if his team haven’t been fully on song.
HALF-TIME! Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:55 , Will Castle
HALF-TIME! Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:51 , Will Castle
The whistle goes and it’s all square at the break.
United will feel short-changed after seeing a Matthijs de Ligt header chalked off for a soft foul by Leny Yoro.
However, they could have easily been behind, with Rangers having a handful of early openings that could have been dispatched.
Work to do after for Ruben Amorim.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:49 , Will Castle
45+3 mins: Half chance for Rangers as Igamane drives towards the box with support in toe.
The attack gets thwarted and Igamane leaves a foot in Martinez, giving United a free-kick deep in their own half and saving them from having to defend a Rangers throw in a dangerous area.
That’ll be all she wrote for the first half.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:46 , Will Castle
45+1 mins: Corner comes to nothing an Barron is back on the pitch. Happy days for Rangers.
Three minutes added on. If it stays like this, Clement will be the happier coach at the break.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:45 , Will Castle
45 mins: Injury concerns for Clement as Barron sits on the deck after a challenge from De Ligt.
Rangers will have to defend the corner with 10 men.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:43 , Will Castle
43 mins: SAVE! Lisandro Martinez laces one towards the top-left corner and Butland is required keep the scores level.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:41 , Will Castle
40 mins: Couple important actions from Bayindir in the the last few minutes.
The Turkish stopper is lively to scamper across his line and push away Igamane’s massively deflected effort.
He’s then at full stretch to prevent United from conceding straight from a corner... again.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:39 , Will Castle
36 mins: CHANCE! Best opening United have created so far.
Sublime pass from Fernandes to slip through Diallo, the Ivorian fires a shot at goal but Butland is equal to it.
Zirkzee receives a pull-back from Dalot moments later, his shot is blocked on the six-yard line.
Getting closer.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:36 , Richard Jolly
United have had a struggle to break down teams at home of late and that is continuing. There are times when Amorim's system doesn't help: Rangers leave the three centre-backs alone and instead outnumbered United elsewhere on the pitch. So far, it is working.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:34 , Will Castle
32 mins: Rangers get there chance to trouble the United defence with a couple of corners in succession, but nothing comes from it.
Ball back in the attacking half for United.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:29 , Will Castle
27 mins: More good work from Garnacho as the winger bends in an inviting cross into the six-yard box, but no-one is there to meet it.
You have to ask more of Zirkzee, there. Any proper number nine would know that that’s where you need to be.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:26 , Will Castle
24 mins: GOAL DISALLOWED! United have the ball in the net, but it won’t count!
Matthijs de Ligt nods home from a corner but the ref calls for a foul on Propper from Yoro.
Soft, to say the least. Rangers let off there.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:24 , Will Castle
22 mins: CHANCE! United should be in front.
Garnacho is once again at the heart of United’s attacking proceedings.
He gets the ball pulled back to him in space and fires over the bar - with a deflection off a Rangers head proving pivotal.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:17 , Will Castle
16 mins: Collyer whips in a pretty poor delivery but it’s met by an equally inadequate clearance, allowing Garnarcho to pick the ball up and see what he can do.
The Argentinian side-steps his man and fires a curling effort over the bar.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:15 , Richard Jolly
A bright start by Rangers and, in particular, from Ridvan Yilmaz. The Turkey international has come close twice in the first 10 minutes. It may be the type of attacking threat Ruben Amorim would like to see from a left wing-back in the United side but, with the exception of Diogo Dalot's barnstorming display at Anfield, he has had too rarely in his tenure. One interesting element of today's selection is that Christian Eriksen is playing as one of the No 10s, with Bruno Fernandes deeper in midfield.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:14 , Will Castle
12 mins: CHANCE! Another big opening for the visitors.
Yilmaz runs into space in the box and latches onto a lofted delivery, with his side-footed volley parried away by Bayindir.
Perhaps it was too much of a safe shot from Yilmaz, who could’ve left Bayindir no chance if he put his foot through it. It also could’ve landed in Row Z, granted.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:11 , Will Castle
10 mins: CHANCE! What an opportunity for Rangers to take a shock lead.
Collyer gets caught in possession and Igamane quickly slots through Raskin, who is one-on-one with Bayindir.
However, he gets the ball caught under him and can’t fire a shot away.
Huge moment.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:07 , Will Castle
7 mins: First bit of space to run into for Cerny, but well defended by Leny Yoro.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:06 , Will Castle
5 mins: United’s attacking vigour once again comes through Garnacho, who drives into the box but is thwarted by a brilliant challenge by Balogun.
Eriksen then gets space down the right and delivers a low cross, Balogun there to clear once more.
The hosts dominating possession during the early stages.
Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:04 , Will Castle
3 mins: Garnacho dances in from the left wing and tries to bend one from inside the box, straight down the throat of Butland.
Early flashes of encouragement.
KICK-OFF! Manchester United 0-0 Rangers
20:01 , Will Castle
1 min: KICK-OFF! We’re underway at Old Trafford.
Here come the players
20:00 , Will Castle
The teams are making their way out to Old Trafford.
Tributes continue for the late, great Denis Law - a figure adored on both sides of the border - with United passing over across a touching banner in honour of the Scot.
Amorim expects physical contest
19:55 , Will Castle
"I expect a really tough match, a lot of physicality and also the fans from Rangers making some noise,” he said in his pre-match press conference.
“So we are prepared, our fans are prepared and we want to win."
Closing in on kick-off
19:50 , Will Castle
Just under 10 minutes until kick-off at Old Trafford.
After reportedly damaging a television in a furious post-match rant following the weekend’s dismal Brighton defeat, Ruben Amorim will be desperate to see a reaction from his players as United look to finally turn a corner under their new boss.
Rangers, meanwhile, will see this as the perfect opportunity to pick up a famous win at these hallowed footballing grounds.
Stay right here for all the action.
Clement uninterested in United's poor form
19:46 , Will Castle
"I'm totally not busy with that, if the other team have high confidence or low confidence," said Rangers boss Philippe Clement.
"We had it a few weeks ago before the Old Firm that nobody gave us a chance in and the team proved what they can do in big moments. It's about being focused on ourselves."
Ruben Amorim doubles down on United frustration
19:45 , Will Castle
Amorim has hardly taken a step back from his ‘worst team ever’ quotes from the weekend in his programme notes tonight.
"What we have seen so far since I arrived Manchester United has not been good enough,” he said.
"We all have to be honest with one another. Ever since I arrived, I have warned we would have to suffer together and that is exactly where we are. That does not make it acceptable to be losing so many games."
United saviour faces old demons
19:40 , Will Castle
Amad Diallo was reportedly on the chopping block under Erik ten Hag’s regime, but the Ivorian been one of the very few to come into his own under Ruben Amorim.
With four goals in his last three, he’s emerged as arguably the only United player Amorim wouldn’t willingly cut ties with if he got the chance.
And tonight, he faces against a team he spent a brief, not so prosperous spell with a couple years back.
Diallo made just six starts in a Rangers shirt while on loan in 2022. Safe to say it didn’t derail his rise too much.
History of the tie
19:30 , Will Castle
Manchester United and Rangers have met just four times so far, with United winning three and just one meeting ending all square. The last time was during the 2010/11 season when they were drawn together in the Champions League.
After a goalless draw at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game at Ibrox, from the penalty spot, with just three minutes remaining.
The only other match at Old Trafford ended in a 3-0 win to the home side, in the 2003 Champions League group stages when Van Nistelrooy scored twice, and Diego Forlan netted the other.
United limp at both ends
19:20 , Will Castle
United might be unbeaten in six in the Europa League, but their frailties at the back and going forward have been more than apparent in the competition.
They have scored just 12 and conceded eight in six league phase games, while failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 in all competitions, conceding 27.
They have also only scored 16 during that period, and six of them have come from the 88th minute onwards.
Rangers will be well aware of their opponents’ struggles of late as they look to win pick up their first ever win against the English giants.
Rangers hoping to catch United while they're cold
19:10 , Will Castle
For Rangers, this is probably the best time to be playing United and at Old Trafford too where the pressure will firmly be on the Red Devils, something they have struggled with this season.
When there is no expectation, United seem to perform, like away at Liverpool and Arsenal, but when they are expected to win, like at Wolves, Ipswich and West Ham they come unstuck.
Rangers, meanwhile, come into this game with just one defeat from their last 19 matches, but they are already 13 points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic and boss Philippe Clement has been under huge pressure.
Big night for Collyer
19:07 , Richard Jolly
More a battle of Britain than the battle of Britain, given that Rangers played Tottenham in their last Europa League match, but their visit to Old Trafford has added spice. It is a big night for Toby Collyer, whose only previous Manchester United start came against Barnsley and at left-back. His team need to win. United could do with avoiding the play-off round, rather than stumbling into it.
Marcus Rashford left out of squad again
19:05 , Will Castle
No return for Marcus Rashford into the Manchester United fold as Ruben Amorim leaves him out of the squad once again.
Rashford declared in December that he was “ready for a new challenge” and has since only made the teamsheet once, watching on from the bench during their 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle last month.
Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and AC Milan are among those reported as potential suitors, but The Independent understands that a permanent move away is unlikely this month.
When is the Europa League play-offs draw?
19:00 , Will Castle
As we enter the penultimate matchweek in the Europa League league phase, the competition’s format will soon see its new play-offs format in action for the first time in February, to decide which teams enter the last-16 knockout round.
The top eight teams in the final Europa League league-phase table will automatically go through to the last-16. They will be joined by the play-offs: a set of eight two-legged ties between those clubs who finished between ninth and 24th in the league standings.
The draw for the Europa League playoffs will take place on 31 January 2025. It will take place shortly after the Champions League draw, so it is expected to be around 6pm GMT.
When is the Europa League draw? Date, start time, TV and new format
Who makes the benches tonight?
18:59 , Will Castle
Here are the substitutes for both teams tonight.
Manchester United: Onana, Heaton; Maguire, Malacia, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Mainoo, Antony, Hojlund.
Rangers: Kelly, Munn; King, Hutton, Dowell, Rice, Curtis, Nsio, McCausland, Lawrence, Dessers, Lovelace.
Confirmed team news
18:55 , Will Castle
Manchester United XI: Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Diallo, Eriksen, Collyer, Amad; Garnacho, Fernandes, Zirkzee
Rangers XI: Butland; Tavernier, Propper, Balogun, Jefte; Barron, Raskin; Ridvan, Bajrami, Cerny; Igamane
State of play coming into tonight
18:50 , Will Castle
United sit seventh in the Europa League table with 12 points from their opening six games and the fact they are well placed to qualify for the last 16 is largely down to Ruud van Nistelrooy, who oversaw their first win of the campaign, while in caretaker charge.
He ended a run of three straight draws as United secured a 2-0 home win over PAOK Salonika, with Amad Diallo scoring both goals.
Rangers are one place and one point behind them in the league table after three wins, two draws and one defeat from their six games so far.
That loss came at home to Lyon, but they have beaten Malmo and Nice away, and FCSB at home, they also drew 1-1 with Tottenham at Ibrox last time out, so they won’t be a pushover for United.
Both will be eager to plant one foot in the last 16 this evening.
Manchester United eye first recruit of troubled Ruben Amorim era
18:40 , Will Castle
Manchester United are interested in signing Patrick Dorgu from Lecce, as they look to make a wing back the first recruit of the Ruben Amorim era.
The 20-year-old Denmark international, who has won four caps, is on United’s radar as they search for signings who suit Amorim’s style of play.
Dorgu, an international teammate of Rasmus Hojlund, broke into Lecce’s team last season, and could address United’s lack of left-footed options on that flank.
Man Utd identify first transfer recruit of troubled Ruben Amorim era
Amorim in dire need of a boost
18:30 , Will Castle
United boss Ruben Amorim pulled no punches after watching his side lose 3-1 at home to Brighton on Sunday to make it one home win from their last five.
It was also the seventh defeat since Amorim took over as manager, in November, prompting him to describe the side as "maybe the worst" in the club's 147-year history.
These quotes have prompted criticism from all directions but maybe they will have the desired effect when they take on Rangers tonight.
Predicted lineups
18:20 , Will Castle
Man Utd XI: Onana; de Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Collyer, Mainoo, Dalot; Amad, Fernandes; Hojlund.
Rangers XI: Kelly; Yilmaz, Propper, Nsiala, Jefte; Diomande, Raskin; Cerny, Danilo, Hagi; Igamane.
Rangers team news
18:10 , Will Castle
Goalkeeper Jack Butland remains out, as do John Souttar, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Danilo, who suffered an injury last week against Aberdeen.
However, captain James Tavernier should be available after making his return at the weekend in the Scottish Cup.
Man United team news
18:00 , Will Castle
United have no new injury concerns after the loss to Brighton, though Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount all remain sidelined.
Amorim may opt to rest some players in key positions, with Toby Collyer and Christian Eriksen potentially starting in midfield.
In attack, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund could return, while it is unknown whether Amorim would want to use Tyrell Malacia and Antony with both reportedly on the verge of loan move.
Odds for tonight's clash
17:50 , Will Castle
Man Utd win 21/50
Draw 7/2
Rangers win 13/2
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When's kick-off?
17:40 , Will Castle
Man Utd v Rangers is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Thursday, 23 January at Old Trafford.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm. Subscribers can also stream via discovery+.
Manchester United vs Rangers LIVE
17:30 , Will Castle
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Europa League clash between Manchester United and Rangers.
Ruben Amorim’s side are looking to go one step closer to the last 16 - but they’ll need to perform better than they did on the weekend, where yet another dismal display saw them lose at home to Brighton.
Both teams are vying to bypass the knockouts, with Rangers sitting just one point below United in the league table.
We’ll have all the latest build-up and reaction right here.
