Football Bet of the Day: Can United bounce back against Rangers?

Our Football Bet of the Day for Thursday comes from the Uefa Europa League, where we have a mouthwatering Battle of Britain to look forward to. Manchester United welcome Rangers to Old Trafford (20:00, TNT Sports 1), knowing that a win would all but secure their place in the knockout round. 

I’m excited for this tie, and below you can find out my Football Bet of the Day for Thursday, January 23. 

Ruben Amorim gave the press what they were after having lost 3-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday as he labelled his side “maybe the worst” Manchester United team in history. 

"In [the past] 10 games in Premier League, we won two," said Amorim. "Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United. Imagine what this is for me.

"We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that.

"We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United. I know you [media] want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go: your headlines."

It feels like after such a comprehensive dressing down, there will be some level of response from this Man United team. They have had false dawns in recent weeks, but ultimately the same issues still remain. The players just don’t seem good enough to compete with well-organised teams in the top-half of the Premier League, and the fear factor that Old Trafford once held has certainly disappeared. 

There looks to be some movement in terms of outgoings during this January window which may help things, with Antony touted for a loan move to Real Betis. No player sums up United’s current failings than the Brazilian who cost £81.3m in the summer of 2022. 

But, let’s turn our attention to Thursday’s fixture, and the Europa League, which has actually provided the United fans with some relief in what has been a turbulent season. They are yet to lose in Europe this term, drawing three and winning three of their games in this extended group league phase. 

Those results have led them up to seventh in the table at the time of writing, and they host Rangers who sit just below them in eighth. The Gers, under Philippe Clement, have not been great in the Scottish Premiership this term and currently sit 13 points behind Celtic in the race for the title. However, in Europe they’ve done reasonably well with wins over Nice and Malmo and a draw against Tottenham Hotspur. This poses arguabaly their biggest challenge so far, but I think they can find the net against a dodgy United defence. 

Andre Onana had a nightmare against Brighton and has come in for more criticism, while United have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 12 outings in all competitions. I don’t see that changing anytime soon, but I will back them to come out with an important three points, based on Amorim’s reaction to another defeat, and the fact that a lot of these players could be playing for their future at the club. 

I think Rangers will pose a threat but ultimately come unstuck against talented individuals who will want to secure their place in the knockout stages of this competition. It may seem a long way off, but if this season ends in Europa League glory, United fans would be very happy indeed given the position they currently find themselves in. 

Offers

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