Manchester United survived an early scare to knock out Real Sociedad thanks to a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick; they will face Lyon in the quarter final of the Europa League.
The teams had drawn 1-1 last week in an encounter where United had seemed vastly superior for over an hour, only to regret not scoring more than one, and of course the capitulation late on which saw the concession of a penalty and the first leg advantage.
With a number of injuries to contend with, Ruben Amorim gave Ayden Heaven his first start for the club, while Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes continued to marshall the midfield. Sociedad, meanwhile, were able to recall star man Zubimendi.
United got off to the worst possible start when a De Ligt challenge was given the VAR treatment, and a penalty was awarded. Mikel Oryazabal, as he did last week, sent Onana the wrong way.
Three minutes later, Bruno Fernandes put the ball on a plate for Rasmus Hojlund to finish. The Dane has been in hapless form and couldn’t connect, but he was nudged to the ground – and another penalty was awarded. Fernandes did what Oyarzabal had done, scoring and sending the keeper the other way.
Hojlund then missed another chance after good work from Zirkzee and Dorgu on the half-hour. On the stroke of halftime, the combination of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, which had worked to create the penalty scenario, almost worked out another opening, but it had been a flat half after the frantic opening.
Two minutes into the second half another penalty was awarded; Zirkzee forced a fine save, and then Dorgu collided with Aritz, earning the spot-kick. Fernandes stepped up again, after a further two minutes of waiting for the check – and he scored with the same ease as his earlier effort.
Aramburu was then sent off shortly after for hauling down Dorgu, although it was debatable whether or not it was a goalscoring opportunity the way the rules originally intended; two good moves in the space of a minute presented two chances for Zirkzee, with the Dutchman wondering how he’d failed to convert at least one.
Remarkably, a fourth penalty of the night was then awarded, when Dorgu was felled in the box – but it was overturned, and to his credit, Dorgu even told the referee it shouldn’t have been a spot-kick. If Fernandes was bemoaning the loss of a chance to complete his hat-trick, then a minute later, he was grateful to Garnacho, who was considered with his choice of pass – and the United skipper scored his first treble for the club since the 5-1 rout of Leeds in August 2021.
There was still time for another – Hojlund’s fine play was finished emphatically by Dalot in injury time.
It turned out to be a comfortable progression for Amorim’s men – but sterner tests lay in wait.
Ratings
Onana 6
Mazraoui 6
De Ligt 7
Heaven 8
Dalot 7
Casemiro 7
Fernandes 9
Dorgu 7
Garnacho 7
Hojlund 6
Zirkzee 7
Subs : Collyer for Casemiro (78), Eriksen for Zirkzee (88)
Highlights :
Bruno Fernandes 1st goal
Bruno Fernandes equalises from the spot just 6 minutes after Real Sociedad took the lead
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025
2nd goal
IT’S THAT MAN AGAIN!
Bruno Fernandes slots home another penalty to give Man United a 3-2 lead on aggregate over Real Sociedad
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025
Fernandes hat-trick
BRUNO FERNANDES GETS HIS HAT-TRICK!
The Man United captain puts his team 4-2 up on aggregate to effectively guarantee their place in the Europa League Quarter-Finals
@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/iu9RMwfsrx
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025
Dalot goal
Diogo Dalot fires home Man United's fourth goal of the evening following a quality piece of play and assist from Rasmus Højlund
@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/vVSE56PBpj
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025
Wayne Barton reporting from Old Trafford.