Manchester United secured a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals after a dominant 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday. Bruno Fernandes was the star of the night, netting a hat-trick to lead his team to a 5-2 aggregate win.
The match began with an early setback for United when Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 10th minute after being brought down by Matthijs de Ligt. This gave the visitors hope of causing an upset, but United responded swiftly. Just six minutes later, Fernandes leveled the score from the penalty spot after Rasmus Hojlund was fouled while attempting to reach a cross.
Despite several missed opportunities, including a close-range effort from Joshua Zirkzee, United had to wait until the second half to take control. Five minutes after the restart, Patrick Dorgu won another penalty following a foul by Aritz Elustondo. Fernandes stepped up again, coolly slotting the ball past Sociedad’s goalkeeper Alex Remiro to put United ahead.
Sociedad’s situation worsened in the 62nd minute when Jon Aramburu received a straight red card for a last-man foul on Dorgu. With a numerical advantage, United pressed forward, searching for a decisive goal. Fernandes delivered once more in the 87th minute, finishing off a well-placed pass from Alejandro Garnacho with a precise shot into the bottom corner.
Diogo Dalot added the final touch in stoppage time, smashing home a cross from Hojlund to seal a comprehensive victory.
Despite their struggles in the Premier League and domestic cups, United’s Europa League campaign remains a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season. The team will now face Lyon in the quarter-finals, with hopes of turning their European success into a much-needed trophy.
