By Korede James
Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers was on target but ended on the losing side as Rangers lost 2-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on matchday 7 of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was the hero as his stoppage time goal earned Ruben Amorim’s side the win.
Also in action for Rangers was Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun who was replaced in the 46th minute apparently due to a knock.
United took the lead in the 52nd minute after goalkeeper Jack Butland, who was once on loan at the club, punched the ball into his own net from a corner kick.
Dessers, who came on in the 71st minute, drew Rangers level two minutes from the end of regulation time.
The Nigeria international controlled a long pass from his half after giving Harry Maguire a slight push before unleashing a fine left-foot strike.
It was his second goal in seven games in the Europa League this season and his 150th career goal.
But in the 92nd minute Fernandes netted the winner as he beat his marker to slot home Lisandro Martinez’s cross.
The win means United moved up to fourth place in the 36-team table, while Rangers are 13th.
In Germany, Hoffenheim, with Super Eagles defender Kevin Akpoguma, lost 3-2 to Tottenham Hotspur.
Akpoguma was in action for 90 minutes while the other Nigerian at the club, Gift Orban, was not in the Hoffenheim squad.
In another Europa League fixture on Thursday night, Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi was an unused substitute as FC Porto lost 1-0 at home to Olympiacos.
In other results, Fenerbahce, without Nigeria defender Bright Osayi-Samuel, draw 0-0 with Lyon, while Lazio, with Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru featuring, edged out Sociedad 3-1 and Ajax lost 1-0 to RFS.
Also, PAOK beat Slavia Prague 2-0, Midtjylland beat Ludogorets 2-0, Nice lost 1-0 to Elfsborg, and Frankfurt recorded a 2-0 win against Ferencvaros.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE RESULTS:
AZ Alkmaar 1-0 AS Roma
Bodoe/Glimt 3-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv
Porto 0-1 Olympiacos
Fenerbahce 0-0 Lyon
Hoffenheim 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Malmo 2-3 FC Twente
Qarabag 2-3 FCSB
Viktoria Plzen 2-0 Anderlecht
Frankfurt 2-0 Ferencvaros
Elfsborg 1-0 Nice
Lazio 3-1 Sociedad
Ludogorets 0-2 Midtjylland
Man United 2-1 Rangers
PAOK 2-0 Slavia Prague
RFS 1-0 Ajax
Union St. Gilloise 2-1 Braga
