A stray punch got the battle of Britain going, but it took the right boot of Bruno Fernandes to decide it. The Manchester United captain may be a newcomer to the Anglo-Scottish rivalry – in contrast to a predecessor, Denis Law, whose life was celebrated by both clubs – but he decided it. A goal in Fergie Time left Sir Alex Ferguson, the Rangers fan and former forward, smiling. Probably Ruben Amorim, too: the Old Trafford televisions should be safer from his wrath.
Fernandes’s sweet half-volley, courtesy of Lisandro Martinez’s curling cross, came after twin errors from England internationals, one benefiting the Premier League club, the other the Scottish side. In a tale of United skippers past and present, Harry Maguire had particular reason to celebrate his successor’s rescue job. Somehow Maguire had managed to be completely outmuscled by Cyriel Dessers as James Tavernier’s seemingly harmless long ball sailed forward. A clinical finish from the forward later and Rangers were level.
