Rangers face a Man Utd side that is very much like looking in the mirror; just as it looks like a corner is turned, another roadblock appears and halts them in their stride.
Philippe Clement cut a confident figure when playing down a question that his squad will be underdogs as they cross the border, not that the manager suggested it would be easy.
One similarity between the two sides is the bad habit of coughing up cheap goals, but Rangers will do well to avoid a player who has come in for praise and criticism in equal measure throughout his career.
Harry Maguire becomes Man Utd linchpin in time for Rangers clash
Harry Maguire is often ridiculed as something of a joke figure and yet has played on the highest stage in world and European football with 64 England caps to his name.
According to Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim, Maguire is back to his best, via the BBC:
“I feel he is a leader again,” said Amorim. “He feels more like an important player in the team.
“He believes in himself a lot and he’s doing a great job.
“We have to praise Harry more than me. He was sick before the last game and was dead in the end. That is what I want from every player.”
Maguire used to be known for his ability to dribble the ball out from the back and for his passing range, however, there is one quality that should give Clement a tactical clue.
What Rangers need to avoid against Man Utd
The 31-year old might not be the quickest, but when you are 6ft 4inches tall, you don’t need to be if teams are throwing crosses into the box.
Whether it is Rangers full-backs or wingers, they need to keep the ball on the ground and look to get the Man Utd defence running towards their own goal and not just fire hopeful crosses in for the towering stopper to clear.
As the Data MB graphic shows, few are better when it comes to dealing with crosses and set-pieces.
Stopping him at both ends of the park could be key.
