Hernandez rescues United with late Champions League winner

Although United had rarely looked like breaking their sequence of three successive goalless draws in Spain, manager Sir Alex Ferguson will not care too much about that.

The mere fact Hernandez's goal, drilled expertly into the far corner after fellow substitute Federico Macheda had cut a cross back from the right, provided United with only their second victory in 19 attempts against Spanish opposition on Spanish soil tells you just how hard it is.

Instead of having ground to make up in the battle to reach the knock-out phase, United can now look forward to back-to-back games with Group C makeweights Bursaspor knowing six points would virtually secure their place in the last 16 of this season's Champions League.

Having called for greater defensive solidity, the return of Rio Ferdinand ensured Ferguson got it and now United will hope to take that form into their Premier League challenge as well following recent hiccups.

Steven Naismith grabbed the goal as Rangers' long wait for a win on the European stage came to an end with a 1-0 victory over Bursaspor at Ibrox last night.

Walter Smith's men had failed to register a win in European action since they beat Fiorentina en route to the 2008 UEFA Cup final, with last years' efforts in this tournament a particular sore point.

Rangers claimed three points against the Turkish champions to add to the draw they earned against Manchester United at Old Trafford in their Group C opener.

Tottenham's Group A rollercoaster ride rattled on as a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance from both Rafael van der Vaart and the match officials saw them beat FC Twente 4-1.

On a night of torrential rain and high drama at White Hart Lane, van der Vaart missed a dubiously awarded penalty, broke the deadlock and then picked up a needless red card as Spurs threatened to blow a 2-0 lead for the second successive Group A game.

But referee Terje Hauge's assistants came to the rescue with a mixture of correct and contentious spot-kick decisions, helping Harry Redknapp's men join European champions Inter Milan on four points at the top of the table.

Van der Vaart's 47th-minute opener was quickly followed by the second penalty of the night, dispatched by Roman Pavyluchenko.

Nacer Chadli then pulled a goal back before van der Vaart saw red but another highly controversial penalty from Pavyluchenko and Gareth Bale's late fourth goal got the 10 men out of trouble.