Dessers decision made in five changes – Rangers confirmed XI v Man United
Philippe Clement has axed Cyriel Dessers from his Rangers starting XI to face Manchester United in the Europa League.
The Gers travel to Old Trafford on Thursday (23 January) with Dessers one of five changes made by the Belgian from the 5-0 win against Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup last time out.
As confirmed via X (23 January), Hamza Igamane returns to the starting lineup alongside Vaclav Cerny, Ridvan Yilmaz, Nicolas Raskin and Leon Balogun.
Philippe Clement and Rangers are going for it v Manchester United
Although the hosts have a vastly superior squad to Rangers’, there is every chance of an upset at Old Trafford.
The Light Blues have already shown this term that they can go toe-to-toe with Premier League opposition after the 1-1 draw against Tottenham on 12 December.
Ruben Amorim recently dubbed his squad “the worst Manchester United history” (Daily Mail, 21 January) and smashed up the Old Trafford dressing room after the Premier League defeat against Brighton.
The Portuguese cut a fickle figure in Manchester after his “breakdown”, and the Gers should be full of confidence heading south of the border.
Furthermore, in the build-up to the clash, Amorim admitted that he fears the attacking threat that James Tavernier and co possess on the flanks.
However, Dessers’ exclusion is a surprise, given that he scored a hat-trick last time out – there is no reason both he and Igamane cannot be included in the same lineup.
Nevertheless, Clement has chosen a strong side to start the match at Old Trafford, and a Europa League miracle could be on the cards for the Gers.
In other Rangers news, a Gers player is “to quit Ibrox in the summer” as Leeds United lurk.
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