Man United 4-1 Real Sociedad (5-2 agg): Bruno Fernandes scores hat-trick as Red Devils progress to Europa League quarter-finals after a lot improved show
- Man United took on Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Europa League tie
- The scores were level at 1-1 in the last-16 clash following last week’s first leg
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Old Trafford rocked and roared as Manchester United climbed off the canvas to keep their Europa League hopes – and season – alive on Thursday night. Neither wants to go quietly, it seems.
For this wonderful old place, the day of reckoning won’t come for another five years, probably longer, following this week’s unveiling of a new £2billion stadium to be built next door. But this was a reminder to cherish Old Trafford on nights like these.
For United, the threat of elimination was more imminent.
A goal down to Real Sociedad and in danger of going out of the Europa League, they rallied to produce arguably their best performance under Ruben Amorim.
Having conceded another penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal penalty, United hit back with two of their own through Bruno Fernandes who then completed a hat-trick late on.
Their captain has now scored 15 goals this season and converted from the spot 36 times out of 40 for the club.
Bruno Fernandes scored a superb hat-trick as Manchester United beat Real Sociedad 4-1
United progressed to the quarter-finals of the Europa League thanks to a 5-2 aggregate win
Fernandes scored two penalties before he capped a superb night with a great third goal late on
It means Fernandes and his team-mates still have something to play for, with Lyon next in the quarter-finals of this competition next month.
So poor in the Premier League this season, they remain undefeated in Europe under Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Amorim.
‘Bruno is the perfect captain for us,’ said the United boss. ‘We need to help him win titles because he deserves it.’
Fernandes was superb but there were so many good performances here, notably from Joshua Zirkzee, Patrick Dorgu, Alejandro Garnacho and Ayden Heaven on his full debut.
Casemiro, one of the players singled out by Sir Jim Ratcliffe this week for being overpaid or not good enough, also had his best game for Amorim.
‘I think he is improving his game and I am improving the way I should use a player like Casemiro,’ admitted the head coach.
The only thing missing from a great night at Old Trafford was a goal for Rasmus Hojlund whose barren run has now extended to just short of 22 hours.
The Dane was desperate to end it here, screaming to the heavens in frustration when he nudged the ball wide from Zirkzee’s cross in the first half.
United had fallen behind when Matthijs De Ligt gave away a penalty by fouling Mikel Oyarzabal
Oyarzabal sent Andre Onana the wrong way to get United off to the worst possible start
But United fought back and Fernandes levelled from the spot as he led from the front
The United skipper scored a second penalty after Patrick Dorgu was fouled inside the area
Hojlund put his body on the line for his team – at one point taking a punch in the head from goalkeeper Alex Remiro then getting up to leave Igor Zubeldia with a bloodied mouth with a hand-off moments later – and actually played well. But he looks absolutely shorn of confidence in front of goal.
‘We are here for each other,’ said Fernandes. ‘Strikers are all about goals, and we can see how much he wants to score. I’m sure the goals will come.’
With the score level at 1-1 from the first leg in last week, Sociedad went ahead in the 10th minute from the second of four penalties scored in this tie.
Once again it was spotted by VAR after Fernandes was penalised for an innocuous handball in San Sebastian.
Matthijs De Ligt cleared Aritz Elostundo’s cross in front of goal, but replays showed that he got Oyarzabal first and the Sociedad skipper got up to score again after VAR advised French referee Benoit Bastien to go to the monitor.
The noise inside Old Trafford rose significantly and United responded.
Three minutes later they had a penalty of their own, converted by Fernandes after he squared to Hojlund in front of goal and the Dane was sent sprawling by Igor Zubeldia as he tried to end his drought.
United were ahead on the night and on aggregate five minutes after the interval, and again it came from the spot.
Jon Aramburu was sent off in the second half when he brought down the lively Dorgu
Fernandes capped off a stunning display with a brilliant third goal to secure United’s victory
Diogo Dalot added the gloss on the night in added time after a much improved United display
Ruben Amorim’s side are now set to take on Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals
It felt like a soft one as Dorgu ran into Elustondo after Remiro had saved one-handed from Zirkzee, and he even said as much to the referee.
Did Amorim approve of that?
‘It is the right thing to do so I am quite proud of him, but I cannot say if I’d have the same response if it had been 0-0 or we were losing,’ he smiled.
Fernandes sent Remiro the wrong way again and the contest swung even further in United’s favour in the 63rd minute when Sociedad were reduced to 10 men.
Substitute Jon Aramburu had only been on the pitch six minutes when he hauled down Dorgu as he raced clear onto Zirkzee’s throughball and off he went.
United had another penalty decision overturned but Fernandes was not going to be denied his hat-trick and latched on to Garnacho’s pass in the 87th minute to drill home before Diogo Dalot converted Hojlund’s cross with a first-time finish in injury-time to add to the delight inside Old Trafford.
