Cyriel Dessers scored the 150th goal of his football career as Rangers lost 2-1 to Manchester United in the penultimate game of the UEFA Europa League league phase at Old Trafford on Thursday night, Afrosport reports.
The Super Eagles forward started from the bench after he played the entire 90 minutes in the 5-0 Scottish Cup fourth round win over Fraserburgh in which he scored a hat-trick and provided an assist.
Matthijs de Ligt thought he had put Man United ahead in the 23rd minute but his effort was ruled out for a foul by VAR in the build up.
Ruben Amorim’s side finally got the lead when a Christian Eriksen corner was turned in by Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland in the 52nd minute.
Dessers was brought on for Nedim Bajrami in the 71st minute and was almost close to levelling for Rangers in the 84th minute but his shot hit the woodwork.
The 30-year-old was however not going to be denied four minutes later when he connected with a brilliant pass from Rangers captain James Tavernier for his 17th goal of the season and second in the Europa League.
CD9⃣
YASSSSSSSSS! pic.twitter.com/aXZXfX7rNz
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 23, 2025
Just when it seemed Philippe Clement’s men were going to leave Old Trafford with a point, United captain Bruno Fernandes popped up with the winner in added time to put them on the cusp of automatic qualification into the round of 16.
Rangers meanwhile are guaranteed a place in the playoff round.
