Rio Ferdinand gives brutally honest take on Scottish Premiership with Bruno Fernandes comment after Man Utd beat Rangers

Rio Ferdinand has responded to a fan who asked him if Manchester United would finish in the top three of Scotland's top tier.

United took a step closer to the Europa League last 16 on Thursday night after they recorded a dramatic 2-1 win over Rangers, as goals from Jack Butland [OG] and Bruno Fernandes sealed all three points.

Philippe Clement's side looked like they would walk away from Old Trafford with a point when Cyriel Dessers pounced on a Harry Maguire mistake before producing a superb touch and finish into the bottom corner.

But in stoppage time, Fernandes rescued the Reds with a last-gasp finish.

"I don't think it was anywhere near a perfect performance but what I would say, not just in the previous game, but you're seeing effort," said former United defender Rio Ferdinand, who gave his post-match thoughts on TNT Sports.

"I think I've questioned many times when I've been here at games, live or in the studio or in my front room, I've questioned effort, application and desire. I'm not seeing that now and that's a pleasing thing"

After the full-time whistle, Ferdinand also took to social media to respond to a fan.

The fan in question asked if Ruben Amorim's Manchester United would finish in the top three of the Scottish Premiership based on their form this season.

Ferdinand replied: "Bruno would score 112 goals a season up there."

Image credit: Getty

Ahead of Thursday's game at Old Trafford, Fernandes refused to rule out a move elsewhere as he discussed Juan Mata's transfer to A League side Western Sydney Wanderers.

Speaking to Optus Sport, he said: "After the videos that he [Mata] sends me about the lifestyle, about playing golf, being on the beach, the stadium, all the fans, the conditions that he has at the club and everything, I could think about it.

"If he’s still there living it will be an even better option because he told me he’s in love with the country, in love with the culture.

“He’s been telling me he probably regrets not coming earlier in his career to Australia. He’s someone that you can feel how happy he is in a place, and I think, at the moment, Juan is that kind of person.

"He’s really happy to be there. He’s been only telling me good things. Obviously, at Christmas time, I was here with a lot of wind and cold, and he was sending me videos of the sun and him living in front of the beach – it was beautiful.”