Rangers lose to United but make it through to Europa League

Despite their defeat to Manchester United at home tonight Rangers qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League

A late penalty from Wayne Rooney eased Manchester United into the last 16 of the Champions League, with Rangers dropping into the Europa League.

Rangers lined up as cautiously as ever in Europe despite the loss of Bougherra and Papac, with Broadfoot and Whittaker filling in at the back.

Possession was 50:50 in the early stages and Rangers coped well with anything Untied could throw at them, and even made a chance themselves when Miller headed just wide.

Having said that United hit the cross bar during the first half through a Rooney header, but the United striker looked off the boil all night and struggling to find his timing.

Rangers looked to be holding on to a draw until the 87^th minute when the ref awarded a penalty when Naismith’s high foot caught Fabio Da Silva in the face. There was an argument this could have been classed as dangerous play and merit only an indirect free kick.

Rooney stepped up to take the kick and sent McGregor the wrong way to score with his only decent touch of the game.

Rangers qualified for the Europa League thanks to Valencia’s 6-1 hammering of Bursaspor, leaving Rangers one more meaningless tie against the Turks before ending their Champions League campaign.