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
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Manchester United host Rangers in the Europa League, with kick-off at 8pm | Live on TNT Sports
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United sit in seventh, in the automatic qualification places by one point
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Rangers are one place and one point below the hosts in the league phase table
Manchester United FC – Rangers FC
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: He is rich; 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, Jephthah; Diamond, Raskin; Cerny, Danilo, Hagi; It’s a name.
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.
