A GOAL in each half saw Manchester United run out 2-0 winners in this afternoon’s friendly match at Murrayfield.
Former Rangers loanee Amad Diallo opened the scoring before Joe Hugill got a second with 20 minutes remaining as Philippe Clement’s side ramped up their pre-season preparations against the 20-time English Champions.
Jack Butland started in goal, with a back four of Dujon Sterling, John Souttar, Ben Davies and Jefte. Mohamed Diomande was joined in midfield by Connor Barron and Tom Lawrence, while Cyriel Dessers, Scott Wright and Oscar Cortes completed the XI.
The hosts, Manchester United, lined-up with the likes of Mason Mount, Jadon Sancho, Jonny Evans and Amad Diallo.
There was a slight delay to kick-off at Murrayfield, with the start pushed back 15 minutes to allow the safe entry of supporters into the stadium.
Once underway, Diomande had the first chance for Rangers from a free-kick, after a foul on Tom Lawrecne on the edge of the box. The midfielder struck a low effort towards goal, but was unable to keep it on target as it drifted just wide of the post.
At the other end, Amad looked to cut a dangerous ball back into the box from the byline but it was cleared by the Rangers defence. From the resulting corner, Casemiro headed over the bar after getting a good connection on the set-piece.
It was a bright start from Rangers, and Dessers almost had a sight of goal as he latched on the end of a quick free-kick but the ball was cleared for a Rangers corner. Tom Lawrence was next to try a shot from distance after a quick free-kick but it drifted just over the bar.
The Premier League side threatened in a move which saw Ethan Wheatley and Amad drive forward with the former cutting the ball back into the path of Wheatley who had made a darting run to find space in the box. However, Dujon Sterling was on hand and managed to get an impressive block on the shot to turn it behind for a corner.
With just over half an hour played, Rangers had a good opportunity after another positive bit of play from Clement’s men. Scott Wright delivered the ball from the right into the path of Cyriel Dessers. The Nigerian forward took a good touch before turning to get a shot away but it was held by Onana.
Scott Wright was next to test the Manchester United keeper with a low shot which Onana was able to gather. Rangers were continuing to be positive with some good chances in this friendly. Cyriel Dessers had a shot inside the box blocked, with Tom Lawrence’s rebound strike saved.
However, with five minutes remaining of the first-half, Amad Diallo found the breakthrough as he cut inside from the right-hand side to curl an effort beyond Jack Butland and into the back of the net.
There was one change for Rangers at half-time as Rabbi Matondo replaced Oscar Cortes on the left.
Matondo had a chance as he cut in from the left and curled a shot towards goal but it was held by Onana, before the winger almost had another opportunity after good build-up play from Rangers but he was unable to get a shot away under pressure fro
Scott Wright came agonisingly close to a goal, as he took a shot on from outside the box and it was a lovely hit from the winger who guided a right-footed shot towards goal but it was just inches wide of the post.
With 70 minutes played, Manchester United had a second goal of the afternoon. Maxi Oyedele picked out the run of Joe Hugill and he hit it first time from inside the box to send it high into the roof of the net.
Danilo had a chance late in the game but was denied by Onana.
RANGERS: Butland, Sterling (King, 75) , Souttar (Goldon, 75), Davies (Balogun, 75) Jefte (Ridvan, 75) Diomande (McKinnnon, 75) Barron (Dowell, 75) Lawrence (Lowry, 75) Wright (McCausland, 75) Cortes (Matondo, 46), Dessers (Danilo, 75)
Subs: Kelly, Budinauckas.
Man United: Onana, Wan Bissaka, Murray, Evans, Mount, Collyer, Wheatley, Yoro, Amad, Casemiro, Sancho
Subs: Mee, Vitek, Aljofree, Amass, Bennett, Fish, Jackson, Ogunneye, Hannibal, J. Fletcher, Mather, Oyedele, Scanlon, Ennis, Hugill.