Five things to watch out for when Manchester United face Rangers, unbeaten records in the Battle of Britain

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Manchester United can take a big step towards qualifying for the Europa League knockout phase when they host Rangers on Thursday night.

Manchester United boast an impressive record against Scottish opposition in European competition and Ruben Amorim will be hoping to continue that this week.

The Reds go into the game after losing four of their last five home games, but there are records they will want to protect this time around.

In the Europa League, United are unbeaten, while Lyon are the only team to beat Rangers (4-1) in this season’s competition.

A win for United would put the Reds on the brink of qualifying for the round of 16, although Rangers are in the same boat after an impressive European campaign for the Scots.

First competitive meeting in 15 years

Although United and Rangers faced each other during pre-season, this will be the first competitive fixture between the two British clubs in 15 years.

This makes it an eagerly anticipated fixture, with both sides currently placed in the automatic qualifying spots for the Europa League knockout phase.

They last met in 2010 when a Wayne Rooney penalty sealed United’s place in the Champions League last 16.

Amorim will want a similar result on Thursday night.

Manchester United unbeaten against Rangers

United’s first team have met Rangers four times in European competition, winning three matches and drawing on one occasion in 2010, but this will be the first meeting in the Europa League.

This is a record Amorim and his players will want to protect because dropping points could be costly as the Reds look to progress in Europe.

United also have an unbeaten record in the Europa League they need to hang on to.

Rangers to end dry spell against Manchester United

United have kept a clean sheet in every European game against Rangers.

The two teams met four times in the Champions League, with Rangers failing to score against the Reds.

United have conceded nine goals in the Europa League this season.

After committing a howler in United’s 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday, Andre Onana will be eager to add to his tally of clean sheets.

Rasmus Hojlund needs a goal

Rasmus Hojlund is on an eight-match run without a goal, despite being the leading scorer in the Europa League.

Rangers forward Hamza Igamane is only one goal behind Hojlund’s tally of five.

Hojlund was dropped from the line-up at the weekend when Amorim went with Joshua Zirkzee from the start. It remains to be seen who will start against Rangers.

Home advantage

United have a poor record at home this season, but the Reds are unbeaten against Scottish teams at Old Trafford.

Amorim will plan to keep things that way by avoiding an upset on Thursday night against the Gers.

Rangers first came to Old Trafford in 2003, 19 years after the first visit from a Scottish club (Dundee United).

Diego Forlan opened the scoring after six minutes before Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ryan Giggs made it 3-0.