Manchester United will take on Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday night in the Battle of Britain at Old Trafford. Each would love a victory that could provide a stranglehold on an automatic last-16 place.
With Manchester United currently sitting in seventh out of 36 in the table, the Red Devils are only one point in front of eighth-placed Rangers. The matchup begs the question though what can these two storied clubs learn from competing with each other?
Match Preview
United’s struggles under head coach Ruben Amorim are well-documented. They sit 13th in the domestic league with three Premier League wins in 11 games, a long way from their customary standards. The Red Devils are fresh from a disappointing 3-1 home loss to Brighton, a defeat that marked their fourth in five matches at Old Trafford.
United, despite their domestic struggles, have not dropped a point in the Europa League in 2023-24, most recently beating Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in a vital away match. Success in the competition gives a shred of hope in an utterly grim campaign.
Conversely, Rangers head in with a clean bill of health, having won on their last three occasions under the guidance of Philippe Clement, netting 11 times and only letting one in. This level of performance in Scottish football is huge but lies in stark contrast to the European campaigns of these two clubs – the Gers trail Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership by 13 points but secured a place to share a point with Tottenham Hotspur in their last outing in the Europa League.
Team News
United have their own injury problems, with Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans all missing. Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, will not be involved, and Antony’s potential loan to Real Betis casts more doubt over his involvement. Ruben Amorim might recalling Lisandro Martinez and Rasmus Hojlund to the starting XI after both missed the Brighton defeat through being benched.
Rangers do have their own problems, however, with key players Dujon Sterling, John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo all out through injury. Mohamed Diomande is suspended and several, including new loan signing Rafael Fernandes, are ineligible. Philippe Clement has a decision to make over the goalkeeper position, with Liam Kelly and Jack Butland in contention.
Possible Lineups
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.
Prediction
The teams will be desperate for a win to improve their chances of qualifying automatically for the last 16. Amorim could, however, become the third United manager to win their first three European games, though the home side’s resurgence under Clement could upstage that.
With United’s awful home form and Rangers’ forward momentum, a score draw — and a high-scoring one at that — seems likely. Man United 1-2 Rangers (Prediction)
With so much history and rivalry baked into this fixture, expect no shortage of drama, drama, intensity — and perhaps season-defining moments — as both clubs seek European glory.
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