Jack Butland was between the sticks for Rangers for the first time in 2025 after a leg injury kept him out of the last five games.

But before that lay off there were grumbles about his form.

A mistake against St Mirren lead to a penalty and defeat for Rangers last month, and then he was let off the hook when Motherwell caught him out for a corner, only for Tony Watt’s goal to be ruled out at the end of December.

Those were just two examples of Butland making errors he simply did not make last term.

So his own goal at Old Trafford – scored by punching a corner into his own net – will only have intensified scrutiny on his position as number one goalkeeper.

Especially as Liam Kelly deputised effectively in his absence.

However, despite his mistake the former England goalkeeper also showed why he is Philippe Clement’s first choice.

He made five saves, including a brilliant one to deny Amad Diallo in the first half.

The Rangers manager seems unlikely to drop him, but it will not stop conversations continuing over his role.

“It’s a horrendous mistake and Butland knows it himself,” former Rangers winger Neil McCann said on Sportsound.

“I don’t think it’s a real flaw in his game, he’s maybe a wee bit rusty having been out injured.

“He’ll hate himself tonight. Sitting in the dressing room, he’ll blame himself.

“I don’t think he could do anything about the winner, it was smashed straight through his legs.”

Chelsea and Napoli have both expressed interest in 20-year-old Garnacho.

United did not respond to questions around a reported bid from Chelsea that is said to be around the £60m fee they are looking for.

The club have been open around the fact their profit and sustainability rules (PSR) situation is tight and they have written to a leading fans group to admit they are in danger of a breach unless costs are cut.

Under PSR rules, selling a home-grown player like Garnacho creates more room within their submission.

Yet, United know such a move would go down badly with fans who repeatedly chanted the Argentina international’s name during the win over Rangers.

“Let’s see in the next days,” said Amorim. “He’s a Manchester United player and was really important for us today.

“I think he’s improving in every aspect of the game, he was better today playing inside, also outside, changing positions, he’s improving the recovering position. Sometimes he shows some frustration and that is good because he wants more. He has the potential to be so much better in every situation in the game.”

Signed from Atletico Madrid in 2020, Garnacho has made 118 first-team appearances for United since making his debut in 2022 and scored 23 goals.

He has netted eight times in 32 appearances this season but, with United’s next home game not until the day before the close of the transfer window against Crystal Palace, was he saying goodbye to the Old Trafford faithful?

Former United Champions League winner Rio Ferdinand told TNT Sports: “The fans were making their feelings very clear. They love him. He gets you on the edge of your seat.

“I don’t think he would be the one initiating this move. I don’t think he’s the one going: ‘I want to leave’.

“But the system goes against him. Amorim doesn’t play with out and out wingers, so you don’t see the best of him. That will be one of the main reasons why they may listen to offers.”

A late Bruno Fernandes goal gave Manchester United a 2-1 victory against Rangers on Thursday.

That moved them up to fourth in the league table with 15 points, meaning victory at Romanian side FCSB next week will cement a top-eight finish. A draw might be enough depending on results elsewhere.

Tottenham, meanwhile, put themselves on the verge of a place in the knockouts by winning 3-2 at Hoffenheim.

They are sixth on 14 points, meaning only a win against Elfsborg will guarantee a place in the last 16.

Rangers may have suffered frustration with the late Fernandes goal, but they are still in a good place to secure at least a place in the play-off round.

They are 13th on 11 points, three ahead of Porto in 25th place – with teams who finish between ninth and 24th going through to the two-legged play-offs.

Porto are the only club who could deny them a finish in those positions but goal difference would come into play and Rangers are in a good position in that regard. The Scottish side have a +5 goal difference, while Porto are on +1.

Rangers are at home to Belgians Union Saint-Gilloise on the final day of the league phase and a point will guarantee a place in the top 24, while Porto are away to Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.

With its paeans to the immortal Denis Law and the banners hailing the genius of their other great Scot Sir Alex Ferguson, Old Trafford looked the part.

But it didn’t sound like it. It didn’t have any aura, any noise from the home fans, any intimidation factor.

“Glory and honour”, “One Love Stretford End” “Manchester Is My Heaven.” The worthy motifs decorated the stands but there wasn’t glory or honour or love.

Not until Butland banged one into his own net.

Suddenly, the volume was turned up. Suddenly, United looked convincing in their build-up play, albeit wasteful when the moments came.

There were several good ones, but no second goal, not until the dying seconds.

Butland saved, his defenders blocked and Rangers ensured that their night didn’t descend into something unpleasant.

Findlay Curtis came on, another 18-year-old in the fray. A debut against Fraserburgh on Sunday and a Europa League debut on Thursday. Rice and Curtis must have felt like kids at Christmas.

So much has been said about the Old Firm’s inability to break through their young players, but Clement has some decent ripostes to that criticism now. Rice and Curtis were there because of injuries to others, but they were there.

This is a young group of players that Clement has and he is desperately trying to buy time to mould them into a gnarled unit. Patience, of course, is as rare as the dodo bird on the Govan Road.

In a heart-stopping moment late on, Rice played a gorgeous pass into Dessers, who was on-on-one with Altay Bayindir in the United goal.

He lifted it over him and saw it come off a post. He was probably offside but that didn’t lessen the ire of the home fans. They reacted with a fury that split the ears.

We couldn’t have known that Dessers would go again and this time he would put it away in the manner of the greatest Rangers strikers. Seventeen for the season. More than 20 last season.

That’s decent shooting for the dud you hear some Rangers fans talking about.

Fernandes had the final say and there will be Rangers angst because of it. For all the class of the finish, the goal was avoidable.

That will hurt, but there will be hope, too, for Clement. His players fought hard against adversity. He saw character out there. No points, but something to keep building on.

After Spurs losing to Everton I was ready to give up on football but just like Michael Corleone each time I try to get away they pull me back in. Same thing with Man Utd fan Eamonn on Monday morning when we were arguing over who’s team were worse.

One of football’s greatest strikers Clive Allen and one school football’s worst will attempt to predict this weekend’s PL scores. Can Liverpool tighten their grip at the top? Will Nottingham Forest continue their amazing season? Can Ipswich get anything at Anfield?

Liverpool have a golden opportunity at Anfield this weekend to extend their lead at the top.

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Here’s what we think…

Bournemouth V N Forest

Clive 1-1 Paul 1-2

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Brighton V Everton

Clive 1-0 Paul 2-0

Liverpool V Ipswich

Clive 3-0 Paul 4-0

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Southampton V Newcastle

Clive 0-2 Paul 1-3

Wolves V Arsenal

Clive 0-2 Paul 0-2

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Man C V Chelsea

Clive 2-1 Paul 3-2

C Palace V Brentford

Clive 1-0 Paul 1-1

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Spurs V Leicester

Clive 2-0 Paul 2-0

Aston Villa V West Ham

Clive 2-0 Paul 2-1

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Fulham V Man Utd

Clive 1-1 Paul 2-1