Thu, Nov 25 10 04:46 AM
Wayne Rooney converted a late penalty to send Manchester United through to the Champions League last 16 with a 1-0 win at Rangers in Group C on Wednesday.
The English side would have progressed with a draw but Rooney's clinical spot-kick three minutes from time secured victory in a tight match at Ibrox.
Rangers were eliminated by Valencia's 6-1 drubbing of Bursaspor and will now play in the Europa League.
United dominated possession throughout and Rooney hit the crossbar with a first-half header in his first start since suffering an ankle problem in September.
Rangers enjoyed the best early chance when Kenny Miller's header landed wide after Kirk Broadfoot had flicked on a Steven Davis free kick.
Rooney's first opportunity came when he was picked out by Dimitar Berbatov, only to slice a shot straight in the air.
The England forward went much closer just before the interval, when he met Fabio's cross with a glancing header that bounced away off the bar.
After halftime, Rooney opened up the Rangers defence with a fine pass only for Michael Carrick to shoot straight at the goalkeeper.
Dimitar Berbatov was also denied by McGregor after a fine run past Broadfoot before Rooney shot wildly over the bar from just outside the area.
Rooney, without a goal from open play since March, continued to plug away and he got his chance when Steven Naismith launched a wild high challenge on United defender Fabio in the penalty area.
The referee pointed to the penalty spot and Rooney nervelessly took the ball, angled his run cleverly and clipped the ball firmly into the corner of the net before celebrating wildly with his team mates.
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