Rangers boss Clement ignores 'noise' around troubled Man Utd
Rangers boss Philippe Clement insists he has no interest in the "noise" around crisis-torn Manchester United ahead of their Europa League clash on Thursday.
Clement's side head to Old Trafford looking to inflict more misery on United after last weekend's 3-1 defeat against Brighton in the Premier League.
Rocked by that dismal loss, United manager Ruben Amorim made the astonishing admission that his team are "maybe the worst" in the club's glittering history.
Back in #UEL action this week 🏴🏟️#MUFC pic.twitter.com/ftWXgGyy0G
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 21, 2025
Languishing in 13th place in the Premier League, United have lost 10 of their 22 top-flight matches.
But, rather than be distracted by all the talk of United in turmoil, Clement is focused on plotting a memorable upset for his side as they aim to reach the Europa League knockout stages.
🗣️ Philippe Clement says Rangers will be without eight players for their trip to Manchester United, but insists his side will not park the bus at Old Trafford ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/BboRqIVcoI
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 22, 2025
Rangers are eighth in the Europa table, one place and one point behind United, with the top eight qualifying automatically for the last 16 and teams from ninth to 24th going into a play-off.
"The most important thing for my group is to be focused on ourselves and not all the noise around them. We need to show our qualities," Clement told reporters on Wednesday.
🎥 WATCH: “I’m convinced that our squad can hurt any opponent”.
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) January 22, 2025
🔵 Rangers boss Philippe Clement says previous Europa League performances show they are capable of hurting Manchester United.
➡️ @ukdebtexpert pic.twitter.com/JzWy2UDnL9
"Of course we know what to expect. It's not about all the noise around us. It's about what we do on the pitch with and without a ball."
The Ibrox club have never beaten United, losing three of the four meetings, while their last away win against an English side in Europe came at Leeds in 1992.
Clement has had his own issues this season amid calls for his sacking with second-placed Rangers 13 points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.
Recalling Rangers' recent 3-0 win against Old Firm rivals Celtic, Clement urged his players to deliver another famous victory.
"I'm totally not busy with that, if the other team have high confidence or low confidence," he said prior to Rangers' first meeting with United since 2010.
"We had it a few weeks ago before the Old Firm that nobody gave us a chance and the team proved what they can do in big moments.
"The team is doing better and better, the last couple of months, that's what we need to show tomorrow, to write history here."
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