Wed 24 November, Kick off: 19:45, Ibrox Stadium
Rangers (5-4-1)
1 – Allan McGregor – When United did penetrate the Ger’s backline he was never found wanting with some smart saves from Carrick and Berbatov. 7
3 – David Weir – A colossus at the back for Rangers as United’s pressure grew. 8
4 – Kirk Broadfoot – Like Weir stood up to the drones of United attacks well and rarely put a foot wrong. 7
12 – Ricky Foster – His pace was key as Nani time and time again failed to get in behind the defender. 7
16 – Steven Whittaker – As part of a central defensive 3 did everything that was asked of him and didn’t let United’s front-line in behind him. 7
6 – Lee McCulloch – Got around the pitch as much as possible, was guilty of some loose passes in second half as he tired. 6
20 – Vladimir Weiss – Ran with the ball and tried to commit United tackles but was running from too deep to cause any real problems. 8
41 – Kyle Hutton – Got stuck in and really kept United shooting from distance. 6
8 – Steven Davis – Tried to get forward and support attacks where-ever possible, like Weiss his starting position was so deep couldn’t really impact. 7
9 – Kenny Miller – Had one really decent chance when he went for glory at near post, was ploughing a very lonely furrow against a United back four. 7
14 – Steven Naismith – Only real Ger’s player who got forward to support rare attacks, unlucky when van der Sar fingertips denied him. 7
Subs:
25 – Neil Alexander
36 – Ross Perry
39 – Gregg Wylde
10 – John Fleck – Introduced for Weiss, never really got into game. 6
19 – James Beattie – Came on far too late to make any impact. 6
34 – Rory Loy
Manchester United (4-4-2)
1 – Edwin van der Sar – Was a spectator for about 87 minutes, but when needed came up with top draw saves to deny Miller and Naismith. 7
22 – John O’Shea – Got forward more and more as game progressed and always an attacking outlet for United. 7
23 – Jonny Evans – Quietly went about his work without really being noticed, won his headers and tackles and distributed well. 7
12 – Chris Smalling – Never really put under any pressure at all. 7
20 – Fabio da Silva – Got forward well all evening to add extra weight to United’s attacks. 8
11 – Ryan Giggs – Neat and tidy in possession but lacked killer through ball. 7
18 – Paul Scholes – Combative won his tackles and distributed well, replaced by Anderson as he tired. 7
16 – Michael Carrick – Guilty of a lot of loose passing and United will have expected more guile from the midfielder. 6
9 – Dimitar Berbatov – Looks amazingly short of confidence and really needs a goal to change things round, snatched at chances. 6
10 – Wayne Rooney – Looked much fitter in himself, still quite rusty football wise but that will come with time, converted penalty well. 8
17 – Nani – Largely ineffective against the pacey Foster, deliveries weren’t up to usual standard. 6
Subs:
40 – Ben Amos
6 – Wes Brown
3 – Patrice Evra
8 – Anderson – Replaced Scholes, more of an energy in his play but lacks the passing ability of the Englishman. 6
14 – Javier Hernandez – Came on for Berbatov but never got any service as Rangers sat back deep. 6
27 – Federico Macheda
26 – Gabriel Obertan – Introduced for Nani, suffered same fate as his team mate as Fosters pace meant he couldn’t get in behind. 6
Overview:
Manchester United got the win there constant pressure deserved although Rangers on the break did have a few moments of joy. Ger’s fans will probably have expected more of an effort to take glory, especially at Ibrox.
They will have to be far more daring if they are to progress in the Europa League. United did just enough to earn the win that sees them comfortably through with Valencia to visit Old Trafford.
Rooneys performance was full of energy but technically very ring rusty, stood up well to convert the winning penalty which gave McGregor no chance.
Follow Steve Featherstone on Twitter @Feathersworld
