Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes scored a last-gasp winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Rangers in the Europa League group stage at Old Trafford on Thursday.

United dominated the early stages and thought they had taken the lead when Matthijs de Ligt headed home from a corner, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Leny Yoro on Rangers defender Davy Propper.

Rangers also posed a threat and a long-range attempt from Hamza Igamane was brilliantly saved by United goalkeeper Altay Bayındır.

The deadlock was broken early in the second half when Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland misjudged Christian Eriksen‘s corner and sent the ball into his own net.

Rangers fought back with an equaliser from substitute Cyril Dessers two minutes from time before Fernandes struck in added time, lifting United to fourth place in the table with 15 points and on course for automatic qualification to the round of 16.

Despite United’s struggles in the Premier League, it was their fourth successive victory in the competition, with former manager Alex Ferguson celebrating in the stands.

“I think we started well and then we lost control of the game because of some bad decisions but the lads did well,” United manager Ruben Amorim said after the game. “We are not playing our best but we regrouped from the last game.

“I know the opponent is different. It wasn’t as fast. You can see the connections. I think we need to be more clinical in the right moments because that can help us a lot.”