Manchester United's dominance finally paid off as Wayne Rooney converted a late penalty for a 1-0 victory over Rangers at Ibrox, condemning the hosts to the Europa League. The game looked to be heading for another scoreless draw as the Old Trafford clash in September until Steven Naismith's high challenge on Fabio da Silva with three minutes remaining.
Rooney went some way to redeeming himself in front of the Manchester United fans by coolly converting the penalty by sending keeper Alan McGregor the wrong way.
It was no more than the visitor's deserved for their attacking intentions compared to the timid approach of Rangers who only had two Kenny Miller efforts to show over the course of the game.
Rooney had already gone close in the first half with a header against the crossbar and as the second half opened out the visitor's increased the tempo to deservedly claim the three points.
This leaves Sir Alex Ferguson's side three points ahead of Valencia going into the last round of group fixtures.
Referee: M Busacca (Switzerland)
Venue: Ibrox Park Attendance:
Rangers scorers: Man Utd scorers: Rooney 87 (pen)
RANGERS 01 McGregor 03 Weir 04 Broadfoot 12 Foster 16 Whittaker (yellow card) 06 McCulloch 08 Davis 20 Weiss (Fleck 79) 09 Miller 14 Naismith (yellow card) 41 Hutton (yellow card) (Beattie 88)
Substitutes 5 Alexander, 36 Perry, 39 Wylde, 10 Fleck, 19 Beattie, 34 Loy
MAN UTD 01 Van der Sar 12 Smalling 20 Fabio Da Silva 22 O'Shea 23 Evans 11 Giggs 16 Carrick 17 Nani (Obertan 77) 18 Scholes (Anderson 67) 09 Berbatov (Hernandez 76) 10 Rooney
Substitutes 40 Amos, 03 Evra, 06 Brown, 08 Anderson, 14 Hernandez, 26 Obertan, 27 Macheda
