Rangers travel south to face Manchester United in the Europa League this week with history on the line for Philippe Clement.
The Belgian boss has not had his troubles to seek as Rangers manager, particularly this season as he struggles to keep apace with Celtic in the Premiership.
Away form has been a huge issue for Clement with Rangers last winning on the road on December 8 against Ross County.
His team appears to turn up for the big occasions – certainly in the last two Old Firm clashes against Celtic and in the Europa League – but can’t navigate past the teams they are expected to beat.
So does that mean Rangers have a decent opportunity against United on Thursday night? Absolutely, especially given United’s dire form.
Clement actually stands on the brink of history ahead of facing Manchester United as Rangers News looks at all of the previous meetings between two mammoths of British football.
Rangers 1-2 Man Utd
- 13 May 1953
- Hampden Park
- Coronation Cup quarter-final
Rangers and Manchester United first met in 1953 in the Coronation Cup, a one-off tournament that celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
The Light Blues were invited to play in the competition after winning the 1952/53 Scottish Division A title and the Scottish Cup.
Peter Hunter McMillan scored for Rangers on the day but it wasn’t enough as Manchester United won 2-1.
An incredible seven Rangers Hall of Fame members played in this game including striker Johnny Hubbard and future manager Willie Waddell.
Rangers 0-1 Man Utd
- 22 October 2003
- Ibrox Stadium
- Champions League Group E
It would be another 50 years before Rangers and Manchester United met again, but this time it meant a whole lot more.
They were drawn together in Group E of the Champions League in 2003/04 and the first encounter was played out at Ibrox.
Phil Neville was the unlikely match winner as his strike after just five minutes of play gave the Red Devils three points.
United boss and former Rangers striker Sir Alex Ferguson, as per BBC Sport, said after the match: “It was a great game of football, the atmosphere was terrific, the pitch was great and Rangers gave it everything.”
Man Utd 3-0 Rangers
- 4 November 2003
- Old Trafford
- Champions League Group E
In the return fixture just a couple of weeks after the Ibrox defeat, Rangers were unable to exact revenge on a strong Manchester United.
Alex McLeish’s side were well beaten as Ruud van Nistelrooy fired in a brace and Diego Forlan added another for a comprehensive 3-0 victory for the Premier League giants.
The likes of Mikel Arteta, Peter Lovenkrands and Michael Mols started for Rangers that evening.
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers
- 14 September 2010
- Old Trafford
- Champions League Group C
Rangers legend Walter Smith was the first Ibrox manager to avoid defeat against Manchester United as he led his side to a creditable 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
Goalkeeper Allan McGregor put in a fantastic individual performance as United fired seven shots on target without any success.
It was a dogged defensive display as was a trademark of Walter Smith’s in European games but it was enough to earn a valuable point on the road.
Rangers 0-1 Man Utd
- 24 November 2010
- Old Trafford
- Champions League Group C
Rangers likely fancied themselves at Ibrox after avoiding defeat at Old Trafford a couple of months prior – but it was Wayne Rooney who silenced the home crowd.
The prolific striker converted a penalty in the 87th minute to separate the two sides and it meant Rangers dropped into the Europa League for the second half of the season.
This was the last time Rangers faced Manchester United as we now get set for the latest instalment between the two British giants on Thursday night.
