Europa League: Glasgow Visit can bring Euro Relief to Manchester

Manchester United vs Glassgow Rangers

Seventh plays eighth in the Europa League on Thursday as Glasgow Rangers head across the border to face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

All is not well at the Theatre of Dreams, the Red Devils are in a period of transition which can be painful at times and the Europa League has provided some relatively light relief from time to time. But I tell you this as a sit 20 miles from the centre of Manchester, should Rangers get any kind of result on Thursday, things could turn a shade uglier for United’s owners.

Manager Ruben Amorin has had a turbulent time since his arrival at Manchester United and he watched his team surrender 3-1 at home to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, a result which left them in 13^th place in the Premier League. Rangers boss Philippe Clement isn’t under the same glaring spotlight but he has a huge job, to keep his fans happy as they struggle to keep up with their ‘Old Firm’ rivals. The Gers are in second place in the one horse race of the Scottish Premier League, 13 points behind champions elect Celtic and ten ahead of third placed Dundee United.   

While this isn’t a Champions League clash it’s certainly a big one; Europa League: Manchester United vs Rangers will have plenty of watchers in the UK as we all love an England/Scotland rumble!

Talking Points

United must re-connect with their fans

The shambolic home loss to Brighton was more symbolic as the club paid tribute to their recently passed legend Denis Law before the game. The Lawman is immortalised in a statue of the ‘Holy Trinity’ outside Old Trafford, George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton; and he was loved across the Manchester divide and throughout Scotland.

But once the bagpipe tribute had ended and the referee blew his whistle it seemed like the current crop of Manchester United players don’t understand what it means to play for this famous old club. There were signs over the previous week, with performances full of fight and character to earn a draw away to Liverpool and a penalty shoot out win away to Arsenal. But they were poor for most of the game at home to bottom club Southampton, saved by a late Amad Diallo hat-trick, and then even worse for the visit of the Seagulls. The United fans desperately want to see them battle hard and take a team apart on home soil and captain Bruno Fernandes shares that passion. His players should follow him and make their supporters proud again.            

The Red Devils are second favourites to win the Europa League, at SBOTOP odds of 5.75 and they can make a lot of people happy if they can lift a trophy in Amorin’s first season.

Igamane gives Rangers a fighting chance

The Manchester United vs Rangers betting odds don’t give the visitors much hope but the Red Devils will keep a close eye on Moroccan star Hamaza Igamane. The 22-year-old was signed from RAF Rabat for £1.7m in the summer and Clement has introduced him carefully. But over the last couple of months he has started to show what a good deal the Gers have struck and he is already one of the most potent strikers in Scotland, with four goals in the Europa League and nine in 12 starts in the SPL, scoring in a recent win over Aberdeen.  

If any of the visitors are going to make a mark in the Manchester United vs Rangers highlights it is likely to be Hamaza; and if the United defence take their eyes off him they could pay a heavy price.  

History

In the five previous meetings between these two sides Manchester United have won four and there was a goalless draw back in 2010. In fact Rangers have failed to score a goal in any of those five encounters.  

The Red Devils have won two of their last six games while Rangers have won four in that time though the be fair, while Manchester United have met the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, the Gers have faced Fraserburgh and St Johnstone. But you can only beat what’s in front of you and now the Scots have the chance to take a much bigger scalp.    

Betting Tip

At odds of 1.36 to win the hosts should make short work of their visitors who can be backed at 5.99 to win or 4.19 to draw. For a correct score line the most likely outcome is a 2-0 home win at odds of 6.76, with 3-1 at 10.12. Rangers will give it a go but if the Red Devils fail to win this game, away from the pressure of the Premier League, I’d say something is seriously wrong.   

 

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