Manchester United are through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League but a future meeting with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce is off the table.
Thursday night produced one of the more positive performances of the Ruben Amorim era.
United beat Real Sociedad 4-1 in the Europa League to advance to the quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
It all started dreadfully with Real Sociedad winning an early penalty, but Bruno Fernandes smashed a hat-trick and Diogo Dalot added a fourth to seal a comfortable win.
United are through though and will now meet Lyon in the quarter-finals after they dispatched of Romanian side FCSB.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Fred suffers Europa League heartbreak
A United win over Lyon would tee up a semi-final clash with either Rangers or Athletic Club.
Athletic Club overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit to beat Roma whilst Rangers beat Fenerbahce on penalties having seen their 3-1 first-leg lead whittled away.
After the tie ended 3-3, Rangers advanced on penalties as United’s potential reunion with Jose Mourinho was ruled out.
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A clash with the Turkish side would have also seen United face off against former Old Trafford midfielders Sofyan Amrabat and Fred.
Fred stepped up in the shootout with the score at 2-2, hoping to put Fenerbahce ahead before Rangers took their fourth penalty.
The Brazilian saw his penalty saved by a former United teammate as Jack Butland produced a fine save.
Butland went low to his right to make the save, leaving Fred gutted as the momentum went back in Rangers’ favour.
This was the crucial point in the shootout; Rangers had just seen a penalty saved and Fred would have Fenerbahce ahead for the first time.
Instead, Butland made the save to send Ibrox wild with Tom Lawrence – another former United player – scoring for Rangers.
Mert Hakan Yandas blazed his spot kick over the bar to send Rangers through and send Jose Mourinho home.
United drew 1-1 with Fenerbahce earlier this season and there will be no second clash with the former United boss this season.
Jack Butland and Fred react to penalty shootout drama
Maybe Butland used some knowledge of Fred’s game to aid him in the shootout.
The pair trained together at United and Butland is bound to have faced a penalty or two from Fred during their time at Carrington.
Butland has taken to Instagram after his success on Thursday night, simply posting ‘what a night’ alongside photos of Rangers’ celebrations.
Fred also sent a heartfelt message to Fenerbahce fans having failed to find the net from 12 yards.
“Feeling really frustrated for not being able to move on to the next stage. We made a great comeback, but unfortunately, we couldn’t reach our goal. I’m upset about my mistake, but I know I gave my best in every moment of the game. We keep our heads high, with courage and determination for what’s ahead. God knows everything and is guiding us!” said Fred.
Mourinho recently praised Sir Jim Ratcliffe but Thursday’s result means that he, Fred and Amrabat have missed out on facing United with the Europa League race now down to just eight teams.