Manchester United vs Rangers – Match preview and team news

The Football Faithful

·23. Januar 2025

Manchester United vs Rangers – Match preview and team news

Two British heavyweights go head to head in the Europa League tonight as Manchester United host Rangers at Old Trafford.

Only one point separates the two sides heading into tonight’s encounter, with the pair both occupying spots in the automatic round of 16 places.

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Victor Lindelof isn’t expected to feature for Manchester United despite returning to training after a month out. Jonny Evans is unavailable, as are Mason Mount and Luke Shaw.

🔴 BRING! ⚪️ ON! ⚫️ UNITED! #MUFC || #UEL
– Donnerstag, 23. Januar 2025

Rangers have already played English opposition in the competition this campaign after they drew 1-1 with Spurs at Ibrox in December.

Industrious midfielder Mohamed Diomande is suspended for the Glaswegians after picking up three yellow cards in Europe. Liam Kelly is likely to deputise between the sticks due to Jack Butland’s absence with Tom Lawrence, John Souttar and Dujon Sterling also out with injuries. Danilo, Ianis Hagi and Rabbi Matondo are all ineligible after not being included in the squad.

Manchester United vs Rangers – Match preview and team news

Form

Manchester United: LDDWL

Ruben Amorim was reportedly furious with his players after they lost their tenth league game of the season on Sunday.

Brighton overwhelmed the Red Devils at Old Trafford to record a 3-1 victory in Manchester.

United remain in 13th position and will now turn their attention to European action. They are faring slightly more positively in the Europa League and are currently unbeaten after six matches.

After drawing their first three games, United have overcome PAOK, Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen to sit just inside the automatic knockout stage places.

Rangers: DDWWW

Like United, Rangers also occupy one of the coveted top eight places, but only just.

The only thing that separates the Scottish giants from ninth-place Tottenham is goal difference, with the Gers scoring two more goals.

Philippe Clement’s side have excelled in Europe this term with emphatic victories over Nice and FCSB alongside a draw with Spurs.

They are unbeaten in seven matches going in tonight’s short trip to England after they thrashed fifth-tier outfit Fraserburgh 5-0 in the Scottish Cup on Sunday.

Last Meeting: Rangers 0-1 Manchester United, Champions League, 24th November 2010

A slender victory for United saw them prevail in the last encounter nearly 15 years ago.

The two sides were drawn together in the Champions League group stage with the first game ending goalless at Old Trafford. However, an 87th-minute penalty from Wayne Rooney proved decisive in the return.

In the first half, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side demanded a penalty after Dimitar Berbatov was robustly dealt with by Steven Davis, but referee Massimo Busacca waved away the claims.

Rooney almost breached Allan McGregor’s net from Fabio’s cross, but his header clipped the top of the crossbar. In the second period, the Rangers goalkeeper was called into action to deny Michael Carrick’s driven effort.

United were given a spot-kick in the dying embers after Fabio was kicked by Steven Naismith. Rooney dispatched with aplomb to give the Red Devils an important three points at Ibrox.

Manchester United made the final that year but fell at the last hurdle to Barcelona.

Predicted Line-ups

Manchester United: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Eriksen, Ugarte, Dalot; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund

Rangers: Kelly; Tavernier, Propper, Balogun, Jefte; Barron, Raskin; Cerny, Bajrami, Yilmaz; Igamane

Who is the referee?

Belgium referee Erik Lambrechts will be the match official. Jo de Weirdt and Mathias Hillaert will assist him while Nathan Verboomen will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Bram Van Driessche and he will be assisted by Benjamin Brand.