Bruno Fernandes dismissed a dramatic winner of the injury time at Old Trafford to sink the rangers and push Manchester United to the edge of the automatic rating for the 16th round of the Europa League.
A 2-1 victory in the Battle of Great Britain tied United in fourth place on the table and means a point against FCSB in Bucharest next week should be enough to get an end between the last eight and avoid a tiebreaker of two paws.
He also brought a very necessary relief for chief coach Ruben Amorim after his emotional reaction to Sunday's defeat against Brighton when he labeled his team perhaps the worst in the history of United.
“It was a victory that we really needed at this time,” Amorim admitted after United recovered from granting an equalizer in the 88th minute to win.
'We started well but we lost control for seven minutes. Even when we suffered the goal of the Rangers, they recovered. We are not playing better, we are far from that, but we improve since the last game.
“It is important (automatically qualify) because it is two free weeks to prepare for the Premier League.”
Ruben Amorim cut a figure relieved after the late Manchester United escape against Rangers
Captain United Bruno Fernandes got late to score a dramatic winner of the Europa League
Captain United Fernandes attacked in the 92nd minute after Cyriel Dessers canceled a goal from the Jack Butland Rangers.
“We want to reach the final in Bilbao,” Fernandes said. 'We want to get the toposcho so that we don't have to play two more games.
'In this club, you need to win each game. You know if you don't earn games here, it will be difficult. I hope our fans never get used to losing games. I hope you believe in this team to win games.
United will launch an investigation after several Rangers fans were able to obtain tickets in areas of Old Trafford designated for followers in the home, and have promised the 'powerful sanctions possible' for any head of registered tickets that could have helped sell them.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund could still offer Marcus Rashford an unlikely exhaust route if United is prepared to reduce his demands and pay more of the salaries of £ 350,000 per week of the unstable star while borrowing. Rashford saw Thursday's game from a box at the stand Sir Alex Ferguson.
