Ruben's Reds return to winning ways (just about) as his side managed to pip Rangers right at the death to give United an important 3 points.

It wasn't the most entertaining of games (other than the final 5 minutes) but with the way it's been going at United, a boring uneventful 90 minutes was probably something we'd have taken.

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For once, MUFC actually began a game on the front foot and didn't concede first as they took the initiative to their Scottish opponents. A potential soon-to-be-ex United player Garnacho with an early shot that just raised the excitement levels just a little.

However, that was as exciting as it got as for a while, it was pretty flat until some action in United's penalty box from a corner.

De Ligt getting on the end of a great ball by Amad to which his header found the back of the net. The referee then decided to give a foul where, if I'm honest, I couldn't see one.

There was very little (if anything) from Yoro to Rangers defender Propper as he gave us a propper dive. The official fell for it and awarded the free-kick and took away what would've been our Dutch defender's 2nd goal for the club.

The first half then ended with not much action thereafter.

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United would obviously be looking to up the ante in the second period as they didn't do enough in the first 45 to warrant anything despite not being awarded that goal.

Maguire then came on for De Ligt in what seemed to be a planned substitution by the manager who with this change, no doubt indicated that had an eye on Sunday's trip to Fulham.

Not long into the second half though, Amorim did get the lead he wanted and by quite unusual circumstances.

It was former Red Jack Butland who thought about helping his old team out as he made an Onana-level cockup as when coming to clear the ball from a corner, mistimed his punch with the ball finding it's way into the back of the net.

An OG from the 'keeper and a mistake that our number one would've been proud of.

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This gave United a little more comfort and ease, however, it seemed that the home side were too comfortable as complacency started to creep into their game.

Rangers then began to get on the ball more and look a bit more threatening, more than they did in the opening 10 minutes of the half as United were the more dominant.

They ended up hitting the post on one occasion although it would've been ruled out for offside. Yet, that did indicate that United should not be resting on their laurels as with only a goal in it, anything was possible.

Substitute Dressers then proved this to be true as after a great ball over the top, the forward managed to out-muscle Maguire before bringing the ball down beautifully and then smashing it into the bottom corner with Bayindir having no chance.

1-1 in the 87th minute and what we all thought would be a much-needed win for United turned out to be anything but.

With 5 minutes of added time though, there was still a chance for anyone to win it.

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Luckliy for us, we were that anyone as up stepped captain magnifico as Bruno scored the winner in injury time after a wonderful cross by Martinez. The delivery was so good, it turned out to be a simple finish in the end for a player of Bruno's quality.

The game ends 2-1 and United just about get over the line.

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Ruben Amorim will be happy with the 3 points as that firstly, that means that United have a better chance of going straight through to the round of 16 although a win in Bucharest next week may still be required.

Secondly, a win was needed just because. Winning has become scarce these days and so to come away with a victory, will do everyone a world of good and is yet another chance for us to take some momentum into what will be a hard game at Fulham.

There were parts of the play that the manager would've liked as there were some good, intricate patterns of play that got us in behind on a couple of occasions. The performances of Garnacho and Collyer would've pleased him as well but despite these positives, there were still times when the game was unnecessarily slowed down, where there were too many touches on the ball and too many stupid shots.

I'm not sure whether the players completely delivered in terms of being less nervous in possession as Amorim wanted but it certainly was an improvement from Brighton.

Amorim made an inspired and surprising team selection which turned out to be the correct decision as Collyer and Eriksen were good in midfield, Garnacho starting was kind of shocking considering he looks to be heading out yet he was pretty good, rotating some players so as to keep them fresh was important, and he got the victory he wanted.

It's probably not the way he would've wanted to win that game but win it he did. Roll on Sunday.

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Ratings

Bayindir - 6.5

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Yoro - 6

De Ligt - 6.5

Martinez - 6.5

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Amad - 5.5

Collyer - 6.5

Eriksen - 6.5

Dalot - 6

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Bruno - 6.5

Garnacho - 7 MOTM

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Zirkzee - 6

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Maguire - 6

Malacia - 6

Ugarte - 6

Mainoo - 6

Hojlund - 6

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Ruben Amorim - 7.5

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Final Thoughts

It was a pretty flat game other than the final minutes, very similar to our last game on Thursday night and similarly to that, that bit of quality from one of our players bailed us out.

I did believe that if we were to get something out of this game, it would be because someone like Bruno or Amad would save us.

We are also much too reliant on these two because they are the only pair producing at the moment. We need more players in the attack to step up.

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Really happy with Garnacho's performance. Nothing spectacular but he was the best on the field. Every time he got the ball, it looked like something could happen, which is something we know he possesses anyway but did disappear from his game just a little in recent times.

This performance was a little reminder to club bosses of what he can do and the potential he can reach. Amorim starting him (which was a surprise to me) and letting  him complete the game is maybe an indication that the manager values this player as part of his squad and doesn't want him to leave. How Garnacho performed also suggested that he wants to stay at United.

How can we be letting go of that? WTF is wrong with us?!

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Collyer also did well despite a shaky start but will learn a lot from this great experience.

We all needed that win but know that we have to improve a lot if we truly want to see real progress. Fulham on Sunday will be very interesting.

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Background Image: Bruno Fernandes comes up clutch to score late winner - Man Utd 2-1 Rangers | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)