It was the Gers’ tenth league victory in a row as a goal either side of half-time saw Michael Beale’s men to a 2-0 win at Ibrox.
It was a special afternoon for goalkeeper Allan McGregor as he reached an incredible 500 appearances for the club, becoming just the 16th player to do so. Rangers legend John Grieg took to the pitch ahead of the match to present the goalkeeper with a gift to mark the impressive milestone.
From the last match against Motherwell, Beale named three changes to his side with Borna Barisic, Malik Tillman and Alfredo Morelos coming into the starting line-up in place of Ridvan, Fashion Jr and Antonio Colak.
McGregor was in goal with James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ben Davies and Borna Barisic in front of him.
John Lundstam, Ryan Jack and Todd Cantwell lined-up in midfield, with Malik Tillman, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos completing the Rangers XI.
The Light Blues were dominating the early spells at Ibrox as Ryan Jack hit a volley from a Borna Barisic cross wide of the target, before another Barisic ball met Tavernier, who had made a darting run to the back post, but Mark Birighitti stood tall to block the effort.
At the other end, Peter Pawlett broke for Dundee United and made ground into the Rangers half before opting to pick out a United body in the box but Gers were able to clear the danger with a corner awarded to the visitors.
Alfredo Morelos was next to come close as he headed wide from a James Tavenier corner, with Ryan Kent flashing a shot agonisingly wide of the goalkeeper’s left-hand post shortly after.
With just over 20 minutes on the clock, Rangers linked-up well again as they attempted to break down a stubborn Dundee United defence. Alfredo Morelos’ ball was flicked on by Malik Tillman with Todd Cantwell directing a low left-footed strike on target but it was pushed away by Birighitti.
Dundee United were awarded a free-kick just inside the Rangers half with 10 minutes to the break and managed to find an opening as Kai Fortheringham played in Craig Sibbald but his left-footed strike from outside the box curled just wide of the top corner.
However, it was Rangers who found the breakthrough in the 37th minute as Ryan Kent played the ball across the middle of the pitch to Connor Goldson. The centre-back lifted a lovely ball over the top of the United defence and into the path of Todd Cantwell who managed to touch it out to Malik Tillman.
The on-loan Bayern Munich forward managed to control the ball before striking low into the bottom corner for his 11th Rangers goal.
In first-half injury time, Ryan Kent almost doubled the advantage as cut onto his left-foot and released an impressive shot from distance that bounced back off the crossbar.
Into the second-half, it was Tillman who was on target again with 55 minutes on the clock. James Tavernier found space down the right to pick out Kent on the edge of the box. Kent touched the ball into the path of the 20-year-old and showed composure to take a touch before guiding a low strike into the back of the net.
On a hat-trick, Tillman was denied by the Dundee United goalkeeper as he pushed away a curling shot from the edge of the box.
Rangers were pushing for more goals at Ibrox as James Tavernier saw a shot deflected wide for a corner, before the captain was denied by Birighitti as he got on the end of a cut-back from Tillman.
Morelos was denied a goal as the Dundee United number one got down to block a powerful strike from the Colombian.
It was the last action for Morelos as with 73 minutes played at Ibrox he made way for Fashion Jr, with Scott Wright also introduced in place of captain James Tavernier.
Tillman was again involved in Rangers attack as he held the ball up well before playing in Kent on the overlap. A great cross from the forward found Borna Barisic but his header was just wide of the left-hand post.
With five minutes to go, Beale made a triple change to his side as John Souttar, Scott Arfield and Antonio Colak were introduced in place of Ryan Jack, Malik Tillman and Todd Cantwell as Rangers saw out this afternoon’s match at Ibrox.
Attention now turns to next weekend’s Old Firm derby.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier (Wright, 73), Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Jack (Souttar, 85), Cantwell (Arfield, 85), Tillman (Colak, 85), Kent, Morelos (Fashion Jr, 73).
Subs: McLaughlin, Ridvan, Matondo, Kamara.
Dundee United: Birighitti, McMann (Niskanen, 76), Pawlett (Fotheringham, 22), Fletcher (Sadat, 76), Edwards, Sibbald, Behich (Cudjoe, 82), McGrath, Freeman, Harkes, Ayina.
Subs: Newman, Graham, Niskanen, Djoum, Sadat, Cudjoe, Thomson, O’Donnell.