Phil Neville’s goal early in the first half gave Manchester United a 1-0 win over Rangers in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Neville, not known for his goal-scoring, dribbled into the box in the fifth minute and shot past ‘keeper Stefan Klos with three Rangers defenders not putting in a challenge.
”It is the biggest goal I have scored, but it was all about getting the three points,” said Neville. ”Initially I was looking to play Ryan [Giggs] in, but then it opened out, a couple of players came across, and I just thought, ‘Hit the target’.”
American goalkeeper Tim Howard preserved the win, making a good hand save off Christian Nerlinger in the 89th minute.
Man United and Stuttgart — who beat Panathinaikos 2-0 — have six points atop Group E. Rangers, who lost at home in Europe for the first time in about four years, have four.
Dubbed the ”Battle of Britain”, the game marked the first time since 1992 the current English champion played the defending Scottish winner in European competition. Rangers beat Leeds over two legs to reach the Champions League group stage that year.
Adding to the intrigue was that United manager Alex Ferguson is Scottish and coached Rangers manager Alex McLeish at Aberdeen in the early 1980s. Ferguson, who won his 50th Champions League game, also played for Rangers in the late 1960s.
”I enjoyed it — I always enjoy coming back to Glasgow, and the fans were great to me,” said Ferguson. ”It was a great game of football. The atmosphere was terrific, the pitch was great, and Rangers gave it everything.”
Neville’s goal quieted Ibrox, and there were more groans when Paolo Vanoli missed a good chance in the 28th minute. Vanoli’s left-footed shot from inside the penalty area went wide at the near post.
Vanoli again missed the target in the 35th, and Shota Arveladze’s dipping effort from just outside the box went over the bar.
Man United almost made it 2-0 in the 44th, but Mikael Arteta cleared Mikael Silvestre’s header off the line.
In the second half, United defender Rio Ferdinand made a sliding tackle to stop Peter Lovenkrands on a breakaway, and Lovenkrands shot wide later in the half.
”I thought the two centre-backs and the goalkeeper were fantastic,” said Neville. ”They stood strong under a lot of pressure.”
The return leg will be played on November 4 in Manchester. — Sapa-AP