Rangers 0-2 Man United: Ten Hag's team stroll Murrayfield meeting

Goals scored by Amad Diallo and Joe Hugill earned a win for Eric ten Hag’s side in Edinburgh.

READ MORE: Check all the Rangers transfer news & rumours before the transfer window

A week on from a 2-1 defeat against Ajax, Philippe Clement’s team travel south to play Birmingham City on Wednesday before flying to face Union Berlin in Germany next weekend. They’ll return to Edinburgh in a fortnight to kick off their domestic season against Hearts. Here’s a summary of the key action and analysis of the game’s talking points.

More minutes, but not much learned

The first-half saw flashes of action play out in between long spells of possession and pressing with a pre-season feel tangible in the atmosphere and product. Clement had reiterated pre-match that he’d opt for two starting 11s between this friendly and the upcoming trip to face Birmingham City on Wednesday. United travelled north with a few big names and were captained by Casemiro. The 18-year-old Leny Yoro, who joined the club this week from Lille in a deal that could rise to £59million, slotted in at centre-back while Jadon Sancho saw little change on the left-wing up against Dujon Sterling.

The game featured plenty of spaces as two teams still building sharpness rarely exploited openings. Clement’s side were aggressive off the ball in moments as they tried to steal possession high while at the other end their former winger Amad gave Jefte a difficult first-half. The attacker’s first cutback of the game looked to have created a goal but Sterling was on hand to clear a resulting shot off the line. At the other end, Cyriel Dessers and Scott Wright were handed the best chances while Tom Lawrence went close with a drive from distance. Amad would split the sides at the break with a mazy run and finish that saw him chop infield and find the far corner of Jack Butland’s goal. United made 10 outfield changes at the break, fielding a youthful starting 11 that saw Rangers dominate the ball without putting Andre Onana under too much stress in goal. Rabbi Matondo should’ve done better when Wright put him through on goal but it was Hugill who added the next goal with a strong run and finish between Rangers’ centre-back pairing. That aside, there was little to report until Onana made a strong stop from Danilo late in the game.

How did new boys fare?

Connor Barron has been the standout of five permanent transfers in pre-season. Given the injury to Raskin, the man signed from Aberdeen will be thrown in at the deep end over the crucial opening weeks of next season. Having settled quickly and given his familiarity with the Scottish game the 21-year-old will be trusted by Clement to produce his energetic game based on covering ground in the midfield. Spare a couple of overeager passes this was another good step in pre-season. Jefte was handed a tough task up against Amad, who played with a point to prove against a team who failed to see his talents during a loan spell two years ago. At times the Brazilian was guilty ot affording the winger too much lisence to chop inside and find his favoured left foot, as materialised for the opening goal. Ridvan will enter the season as the club’s first-choice left-back while Jefte, still only 20, is expected to offer cover and competition.

Diomande and Sterling impress

With James Tavernier the subject of two transfer bids from Trapbonszbor and expected to leave Ibrox this summer, there was extra focus on Dujon Sterling’s performance at right-back. The 24-year-old was predictably reliable, not allowing any opponent a route beyond on the right and dominating his area of the pitch. Sterling, alongside Diomande, represents a new core of this squad. Clement and Nils Koppen see the versatile Englishman as a key component of next season, who will benefit from one consistent position rather than operating in a variety of roles. Diomande has already established himself as the cornerstone of Rangers’ midfield and will be one of Rangers’ most important players this season. Although still only 22, the Ivorian looks a level above many of his teammates with the technical qualities to do it all in midfield. This duo are to be built around, especially given the lack of depth currently available. 

Squad depth and readiness

While Clement explained that he was seeking to build match sharpness across his squad with three friendlies in a week, there’s a pervading sense that Rangers’ squad remains a long way off season-ready. As things stand, when the Ibrox side travel to Tynecastle to kick off the 2024/25 campaign where they ended the previous one, are they in a better place? What’s true is that the business done so far isn’t short term and more additions will follow, even if work remains to trigger outgoings first. The news that Raskin will miss up to six weeks with injury further underlines the need for depth in midfield, while a quality first-choice option on the right has long been required. Rangers cannot afford to go into the next season with this squad as it stands - that much is clear.

Not much to lift the mood

There’s no denying the trepidation that exists amongst Rangers supporters ahead of the new campaign. It’s obvious in conversations, Twitter posts and morning briefing comments. Of course, a mood can turn in an instant. If Rangers win well at Tynecastle on the opening day, or announce an exciting signing or two prior, then Clement could create the siege mentality his side will need, especially given their season will start at Hampden and not Ibrox. While friendlies are all about fitness and little should be read into outcomes, it’s fair game argue that Rangers could do with showing a little more over their next two outings.