Rangers travel across the border and down the M6 to take on a Manchester United side that is going through a similar transitional period.
Philippe Clement has never been the sort of manager to be cautious in Europe and a trip to Old Trafford is one that he will relish.
He would have preferred not to have a squad ravaged by injury and suspension though, not that Rangers midfielder Connor Barron has any concerns.
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Connr Barron doesn’t have any fear as Rangers take on Man Utd
The summer signing has spent more time on the bench in recent weeks with Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande forming a solid partnership in the engine room.
The latter will be a big miss due to suspension having been outstanding in Europa League games as a No.10.
When asked if there was any fear going into Rangers’ clash with Man Utd, Barron spoke in his usual matter of fact manner:
“Yeah, there shouldn’t be a fear going into any game, you’ve got a job to do as a professional football player,” said Barron.
“You’ve got to go out there and play the best you can, play for the jersey and that’s what we’ve got to do on Thursday.
“It’s one you dream of as a kid, just as you do pulling on the shirt but it’s just another game so we look forward to it.”
Should Rangers be worried about Old Trafford trip?
Man Utd have won their last three Europa League games against PAOK, Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen – hardly heavy weights of continental football.
They do sit one place above Rangers in the table, so there is more than Anglo/Scottish pride at stake with the potential to qualify for the top eight also on the line.
Man Utd sit in 13th place in the Premier League and are closer to the relegation zone than they are to the top four.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 8 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 22 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 33 | 34 | -1 | 36 |
| 9 |  BrightonBrighton | 22 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 34 |
| 10 |  FulhamFulham | 22 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 33 |
| 11 |  BrentfordBrentford | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 40 | 39 | 1 | 28 |
| 12 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 22 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 25 | 28 | -3 | 27 |
| 13 |  Man UtdManchester United | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 27 | 32 | -5 | 26 |
| 14 |  West HamWest Ham | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 27 | 43 | -16 | 26 |
| 15 |  TottenhamTottenham | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 45 | 35 | 10 | 24 |
| 16 |  EvertonEverton | 21 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 18 | 28 | -10 | 20 |
| 17 |  WolvesWolves | 21 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 31 | 48 | -17 | 16 |
Barron is right, with a goal difference of –5, Utd are there to be got at and Rangers will have a go under Clement, as they have done in every away game during his tenure.
At the heart of his team will be Barron, chomping at the bit to prove the doubters wrong.
