Manchester United defeated Real Sociedad 5-2 on aggregate to advance to the quarter-finals of the Europa League after Bruno Fernandes struck a hat-trick to earn a 4-1 victory on the night.
Ruben Amorim’s side were held to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg in San Sebastian last week and suffered an early setback when Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the spot after Matthijs de Ligt’s clumsy challenge.
But United hit back quickly with a penalty of their own from Fernandes and the Portuguese punished the hosts with another strike from 12 yards following a foul on the lively Patrick Dorgu.
The Spanish outfit’s hopes were then dashed when Dorgu proved too quick and slippery for Venezuela’s Jon Aramburu, who made contact as the Dane was poised to dash through on goal. Fernandes’ ruthless finish after a clinical counter-attack saw the Portuguese register his hat-trick to break La Real’s resistance and Diogo Dalot hit a late fourth to put some gloss on the aggregate scoreline.
And a win was the perfect response for Ruben Amorim after some of his side were labelled “overpaid” and “underperforming” by owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Relive all the action from Manchester United v Real Sociedad below:
United supporters hail Amorim’s transfers
Things haven’t all gone well for Ruben Amorim on pitch, but he has gone two-for-two with his business off it.
Andrey Heaven and Patrick Dorgu both arrived in the Northwest in the January transfer window shortly after their new manager, and both have impressed since their arrival.
Making his first senior start tonight, you would never have guessed that Heaven was just 17, while Dorgu also showed composure beyond his relatively meagre years.
With such an eye for talent, who knows what picks Amorim could have up his sleeve in summer as Omar Berrada commits to investing in the squad?
The night in pictures
High drama in Rangers vs Fenerbahçe
If there were too many penalties for you in Man United vs Sociedad, you’d hate Rangers vs Fenerbahçe.
Jose Mourinho’s new side went to penalties in Glasgow, but a pair of impressive saves from Jack Butland denied the Special One his bragging rights in Scotland.
Hakan Yandas fired the Turkish sides’ fourth penalty well over the bar to end the shootout – the Ibrox pressure too much for the 30-year-old.
Rangers progress to the quarter-finals, where the will face Athletic Club. A historic campaign for the Glaswegians.
The night in pictures
Bruno Fernandes loves a hat trick
Fernades has been among the few bright sparks in this United squad for quite some time now, and he renewed that status tonight with a season-defining hat trick.
Despite scoring 61 league goals for Manchester United, he has only scored one hat trick in the Premier League according to StatMuse. That came in 2021 as he hit three past Leeds in a 5-1 opening-day victory at Old Trafford.
English clubs stand to win next season
Europa League wins for Manchester United and Tottenham combined with Chelsea’s Conference League win over Copenhagen will have far-reaching effects for England’s coefficient points.
The gains mean it will be almost impossible for Spain and Italy to catch up to England in the coefficient rankings – but what does that mean?
It may sound like UEFA jargon, but it is actually quite important – the Premier League will likely be granted a fifth Champions League qualification spot next season.
This news could be confirmed as early as next round, results dependent.
Manchester United display a new quality to bolster Europa League hopes at special Old Trafford
Even in the week the death warrant for Old Trafford was signed, Manchester United showed there is still life in their season. When they trailed to Real Sociedad, it seemed as though it may be over in March, Old Trafford condemned to a year without European football, perhaps even having staged its last continental game. A comeback later, a Basque club were beaten and United’s hopes of returning to the Champions League via the Basque country were enhanced.
It was a cracking night, for the creaking old ground, the young coach and the captain alike. There are times when it has seemed that Bruno Fernandes is on a one-man crusade to salvage something from United’s season.
Read Richard Jolly’s full report HERE.
Bruno Fernandes hits a new record for United
It is just a habit for him at this point, really. Today’s record broken, though, goes beyond United.
According to Opta, his three goals today see Fernandes become the player with the most goal involvements in Europa League history with 41 (24G, 17A).
Not bad, that.
Amorim: Rasmus is so anxious, he will score soon
Ruben Amorim is noticeably lighter on his feet as he trots out to give his post-match interview after a much needed win. Here’s his take:
On a hectic week: “It was a complete week. We show a little bit the future, we deal with problems in the present, and today a good performance. The physicality was there and in this competition, we can be the dominant team in physicality. we are learning about us, about different competitions, how to win games, how to draw games. It was a tough week but a good week.”
On developing the squad: “I think I am also learning how to use players like Casemiro and without a lot of options we are looking to put our players in the right positions. You can feel that they have more freedom. One game in Spain we tried to use the pace of Garnacho on the right and he showed me so many things, so I am trying to find the right solutions for the team.”
On Hojlund: “Because we play with two 10s we need one player to push the team to make the runs and he is doing that. He is helping a lot. He was better in connection today. He got the assist for one goal, he just needs to score a goal. He is so anxious. He will score one.”
Manchester United’s route to the final
A crucial win in the last 16 means United can start to dream of an appearance in the final.
But wait, how can they get there? A trip to Lyon awaits in the next round, but where would they progress to after that?
We have the quarter-final draw in full, including United’s full route to the final in Bilbao.
Source: independent.co.uk
