20 passes, 28 touches – Manchester United star thrives in unexpected role vs Rangers, Rúben Amorim has a new option

Rúben Amorim has found a new option at Manchester United after one star thrives in an unexpected role against Rangers in the Europa League.

Manchester United were rescued by captain Bruno Fernandes, whose injury-time winner earned a vital three Europa League points against Rangers on a tense Thursday night at Old Trafford.

The first half was cautious from both sides, though Matthijs de Ligt had a goal ruled out for a contentious foul in the box just before the ball hit the net.

Amad and Joshua Zirkzee came close to breaking the deadlock for United, while Rangers had a handful of opportunities of their own. Despite these chances, the teams went into the break goalless.

United took the lead in the second half in dramatic fashion, as former Red Jack Butland, now in goal for Rangers, accidentally punched the ball into his own net following a dangerous Christian Eriksen corner.

Alejandro Garnacho nearly doubled the advantage, striking the post with a fine effort. But the visitors hit back late on, with Cyriel Dessers firing in what looked to be a decisive equaliser just minutes from full time.

However, United weren’t finished. A sublime cross from Lisandro Martínez found Fernandes, who lashed in a brilliant finish during injury time to ensure Rúben Amorim’s men secured all three points in the end.

Dalot thrives in surprise role vs Rangers

In the second half, Leny Yoro was substituted off after 55 minutes, and although Diogo Dalot started as the left wing-back, he played the final 35 minutes of the game as a right-sided centre-back in the back three.

In that time, the Portuguese international looked comfortable on the ball as well as off it, playing in a more familiar area on the right hand side of defence.

On the ball, he made 20 passes in the position, having a further 28 touches and making three passes into the final third, as many as he made in the opening 55 minutes.

Read More: Chelsea’s Alejandro Garnacho offer revealed as Manchester United winger ‘open’ to move

Defending, he made a further two recoveries after making five in his previous position, committing just one foul in that time despite playing as a centre-back with Rangers on the attack.

Although United conceded while he played as part of the back three, it’s hard to blame Dalot for the goal as Harry Maguire was the man more at fault.

Amorim will be pleased with Dalot’s role and performance, as it shows the manager has yet another auxiliary option in defence as the side look to continue competing on all three fronts in the Premier League, Europa League, and FA Cup.

The 26-year-old has been criticised of late due to his lack of attacking threat as a wing-back. Moving to a centre-back could be an option for the player, as he has shown his proficiency as a defender on multiple occasions over his time at Old Trafford.

Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is released every Wednesday at 6 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.