Manchester United kept their season alive in emphatic fashion, securing a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford to progress to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals with a 5-2 aggregate triumph. The star of the night was Bruno Fernandes, whose second hat-trick for the Red Devils underscored his talismanic presence and maintained United�s unbeaten record in Europe this season.
After a tumultuous week off the pitch�marked by protests and the unveiling of a dazzling new stadium�head coach Ruben Amorim�s side desperately needed a lift. With their domestic campaign faltering, the Europa League represents United�s last realistic shot at silverware, and Fernandes delivered when it mattered most.
The match began on a sour note for the hosts. Just minutes in, Matthijs de Ligt clumsily felled Mikel Oyarzabal in the penalty area, and the Real Sociedad striker coolly converted the spot-kick�mirroring his effort from the first leg�to give the visitors an early lead. Old Trafford held its breath as United�s shaky start threatened to derail their European ambitions.
But Fernandes, fresh off a stunning free-kick against Arsenal last Sunday, proved to be the catalyst for a stirring comeback. When Igor Zubeldia impeded Rasmus Hojlund in the box, the Portuguese maestro stepped up, curling his penalty past Alex Remiro with trademark composure to level the score. The game exploded into life, with two penalties awarded within six minutes, yet the intensity showed no signs of waning.
United�s wastefulness nearly cost them, however, as Hojlund�mired in a 20-game goal drought�fluffed a golden opportunity from close range on the half-hour mark. The Dane skewed his effort wide, leaving fans and teammates alike frustrated.
The second half brought renewed vigor, and it took just two minutes for United to earn another penalty. Aritz Elustondo�s foul on Patrick Dorgu handed Fernandes a chance to double his tally, and he obliged with aplomb, sending Remiro the wrong way to put United ahead. The goal sapped Sociedad�s resolve, allowing the Red Devils to dominate possession with the swagger of a team unbeaten in 28 of their last 29 Europa League home matches.
Dorgu�s pace continued to torment the visitors, and the Danish wing-back sparked further drama just past the hour mark. Jon Aramburu�s cynical foul on Dorgu, as he charged toward goal, earned the Sociedad man a straight red card�despite the incident occurring near the halfway line. Reduced to 10 men, Sociedad�s hopes crumbled.
Fernandes sealed his hat-trick in style late on, lashing a fierce strike across Remiro into the bottom corner for his fifth goal in six appearances. Diogo Dalot capped the night in stoppage time, rifling home from Hojlund�s cutback to ensure a comprehensive victory.
The win sets up a tantalizing quarter-final clash with Lyon, offering United a chance to build momentum in a competition they last won in 2017. For Amorim, Fernandes� brilliance provided the perfect tonic amid a challenging season, keeping the fallen giants� European dreams alive.
