Manchester United vs Rangers: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Manchester United's defensive frailties will be on show in this fixture, but the Red Devils should have enough attacking options to overcome their Scottish opposition. Ruben Amorim's side are one of the four unbeaten sides in this competition, with three wins and three draws from six group phase games. Manchester United have won their previous three Europa League games coming into this one to propel the Red Devils into the top eight places.

The home side are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the two teams. Goals are expected in this fixture, with over 2.5 goals occurring in seven of the previous eight involving Rangers and both teams scoring in four of the last five involving Manchester United – Manchester United 3-2 Rangers

Manchester United host Rangers in the Europa League, with both teams looking for three points to strengthen their place in the top eight.

Date: 23/01/25

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Old Trafford

Another defeat in the Premier League against Brighton continues Manchester United’s dreadful season, but they will welcome a much needed distraction in Europe. The Red Devils are in a strong position to advance to the knockout round automatically, given they record victory here. They currently occupy seventh place, a point clear of Tottenham in ninth. However, they do not come into this one with momentum, with just one victory in their last eight games, though they are on a three-game winning streak in this competition.

Rangers sit just a place and point behind their opponents, unbeaten in their last four European games. This form extends to all competitions, having not tasted defeat in seven. They have lost just once in the Europa League, that coming at home to Lyon in the second game. The Gers have already faced English opposition this season, holding Tottenham to a 1-1 draw at Ibrox.

Goals should be a feature in this game, particularly with a vulnerable United defence on display. Rangers will look to take advantage of this weakness, entering this game having scored at least three goals in each of their last three games. United have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 12 games. Vaclav Cerny and Hamza Igmane have scored nine goals each in the SPL, and have combined for seven in Europe. They stand to be Rangers’ biggest threats alongside Cyriel Dessers, who scored a hat-trick in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.

Rasmus Hojlund has been the main man for United in Europe, leading the way with five goals in the competition. They will face a defence which has kept two consecutive clean sheets, though they had allowed five goals in the three games prior. Despite the hosts’ recent struggles, they have scored seven in their last four, so will be hopeful of creating opportunities at home.

These two teams have only ever met four times in their histories. Manchester United are unbeaten in this fixture with three wins and a draw. The latest was in the Champions League group stages in 2010. The game at Old Trafford resulted in a goalless draw, before United won 1-0 in the reverse fixture at Ibrox. Wayne Rooney scored a late penalty to seal victory.

Manchester United vs Rangers will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1.

Manchester United

Defensive pair Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans remain out with injury. Mason Mount and Luke Shaw also remain sidelined, with the latter nearing a return towards the end of this month. The rest of the squad should be available for selection.

Rangers

Goalkeeper Jack Butland is out with a leg injury, whilst Dujon Sterling and Thomas Lawrence are also sidelined for at least 1-2 weeks. Liam Kelly will likely keep his place in goal for this game.

Manchester United:

In their last five games, Man United have won one, lost two and drawn two. It has been an underwhelming stretch for United which continued with a 3-1 loss in their most recent game against Brighton. A Bruno Fernandes penalty cancelled out a Yankuba Minteh opener, before second half strikes from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter condemned them to defeat.

Despite falling behind before the break, they were 3-1 winners against Southampton, with a late Amad Diallo hat-trick saving them from embarrassment. This followed a 1-1 draw at Arsenal in the FA Cup third round, a tie which they won 5-3 on penalties. They took the lead through Fernandes, but the Gunners responded shortly after the Red Devils were reduced to 10 men. United were able to hang on through extra-time for the shootout.

A huge result at Anfield saw United pick up a point in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool. Both sides took a lead before Amad equalised with 10 minutes to go. It was a good response to a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle at Old Trafford. Alexander Isak and Joelinton were on the scoresheet.

Rangers:

In their last five games, Rangers have won three and drawn two. It has been a solid stretch for Rangers, though dropped points has seen them lose further ground at the top of the table. The first game of this run was a thrilling 3-3 draw away at Hibernian. The visitors squandered a two-goal lead given to them by Hamza Igamane, before taking the lead once more as the player completed his hat-trick. Hibs scored an 83rd minute equaliser.

Another draw followed as Dundee held them in another away game. The final result was 1-1 as Vaclav Cerny cancelled out an early opener from the hosts. Rangers snapped their mini winless streak with a 3-1 victory over St. Johnstone. Igamane, Cerny and Mohamed Diomande were on the scoresheet before a late consolation.

Last week saw a second consecutive home win in which they beat Aberdeen 3-0. They did so with goals from Igamane, Leon Balogun and Cyriel Dessers. Their most recent game was against Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup fourth round. They were comfortable 5-0 winners, helped by a Dessers hat-trick.

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