Manchester United secured their spot in the Europa League quarter-finals with a commanding victory over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
In the past seven meetings between the two sides, only nine goals had been scored, hinting at a likely low-scoring affair. However, both teams defied expectations with a high-energy start, exchanging early goals to set the tone for an exciting contest that went into half-time level at 1-1.
Bruno Fernandes doubled his tally just two minutes into the second half, confidently converting his second penalty of the night to give the home side the lead. Manchester United’s advantage grew even further in the 63rd minute when substitute Jon Aramburu was shown a straight red card for bringing down Patrick Dorgu.
A Bruno Fernandes hat-trick and a late goal from Diogo Dalot capped off an impressive display from the home side, booking their place in the next round of the Europa League.
The visitors started with purpose, aiming to make an early breakthrough, and they did just that through Mikel Oyarzabal. The Spanish forward was brought down inside the box by Matthijs de Ligt, and after a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty. The 27-year-old stepped up confidently and slotted his effort past Andre Onana to give his side the lead.
Ruben Amorim’s side responded swiftly, finding the equaliser through Bruno Fernandes. Casemiro threaded a brilliant pass to the Portuguese midfielder, who surged forward before laying it off to Rasmus Højlund. The Danish striker was brought down by Igor Zubeldia, earning the home side a penalty. Fernandes stepped up and confidently fired his spot-kick past the keeper, bringing the game back on level terms.
Both teams looked dangerous in attack, but sloppy defending led to several easy chances. In the 30th minute, Højlund nearly put the _Red Devils_ ahead. Joshua Zirkzee twisted and turned inside the box before finding the 22-year-old, who sent his effort just wide of the post.
Manchester United maintained their dominance before halftime, with Dorgu coming close twice, though neither effort truly tested the goalkeeper. Real Sociedad had a late chance through Sheraldo Becker, but his shot was comfortably saved by Onana, sending the game into the break level.
Two minutes into the second half, Manchester United were awarded another penalty and the third on the night. Dorgu was brought down by Aritz Elustondo, and despite appeals from the away side, the referee pointed to the spot. Fernandes stepped up once again and confidently slotted his effort past Remiro to restore United’s in the tie.
(Photo by Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
The _Red Devils_ pushed to extend their lead, with Højlund coming close once again on a frustrating night for the striker, as he struggled to find the back of the net.
It went from bad to worse for the Basque side as substitute Aramburu was shown a red card for bringing down Dorgu just past the halfway line. Despite his protests, the referee stood by his decision, giving Manchester United a significant advantage in the tie.
The _Red Devils_ should have put the game to bed in the 80th minute when Højlund was denied by Remiro from the edge of the box after a brilliantly disguised pass from Fernandes. Moments later, Noussair Mazraoui nutmegged a defender and clipped a cross to the back post, where Zirkzee nodded it down but agonisingly past the right-hand post, just out of Højlund’s reach.
A swift counter-attack saw Alejandro Garnacho burst through Real Sociedad’s defence before laying it off to his captain on the right. Fernandes struck across goal, placing his effort past Remiro to complete his hat-trick.
Diogo Dalot got on the scoresheet just before full time to secure an impressive 5-2 aggregate victory for Manchester United that sees Ruben Amorim’s side set up a Europa League quarterfinal clash with Lyon, with the ties scheduled for early April.
**MUN:** Onana; Heaven, de Ligt, Mazraoui; Dorgu, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dalot; Garnacho, Zirkzee, Hojlund
**RLS:** Remiro; Munoz, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Elustondo; Marin, Zubimendi, Mendez; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Becker