Manchester: Bruno Fernandes showcased exceptional leadership by scoring a hat-trick, leading Manchester United to a 4-1 triumph over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford. This victory secured a 5-2 aggregate win, propelling them into the Europa League quarter-finals, as reported by Sky Sports.
The match began with a moment of concern for United when Mikel Oyarzabal successfully converted a penalty, briefly jeopardizing their advancement. However, Fernandes quickly turned the momentum in United's favor by scoring two penalties—one in each half. The situation worsened for Real Sociedad when substitute Jon Aramburu received a red card for a foul on the energetic Patrick Dorgu. Fernandes then completed his hat-trick, and Diogo Dalot added a fourth goal in stoppage time, ensuring the tie was firmly in United's control.
Ruben Amorim's team will now face Lyon in the quarter-finals, keeping their aspirations for European silverware alive. This victory coincided with United's announcement of plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium, with chief executive Omar Berrada reassuring fans that financial support for Amorim would remain steady, regardless of their European qualification status.
Amorim has highlighted the potential of the Europa League to revitalize his squad as they aim for a strong season finish, and United's performance reflected that determination. The team played with greater urgency and tempo than in recent matches, much to the satisfaction of the Old Trafford crowd.
Fernandes was undoubtedly the star of the match, achieving his second hat-trick in a United jersey. However, other players also stepped up, with Casemiro building on his impressive performance against Arsenal, and Dorgu, a former Lecce player, showcasing the offensive capabilities of a wing-back in Amorim's system. He was instrumental in winning United's second penalty and was involved in the incident that led to Aramburu's red card.
Joshua Zirkzee has faced a tough beginning to his tenure at United since his transfer from Bologna, yet he showcased his potential during the match. His expertly timed pass to Dorgu led to the incident resulting in a red card, and he excelled in the No. 10 position. Rasmus Hojlund, who earned the first penalty after being fouled in the box, had opportunities to score himself but ultimately left the pitch pleased with the team's commanding victory.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes shared his thoughts with TNT Sports, stating, "[Hojlund is] a striker. It's all about goals; he will face criticism for not scoring, but in the dressing room, we encourage him to find the net as often as possible," as reported by Sky Sports.
"He won the penalty for the first goal, and for my third, he drew the defender away. There are many contributions he makes that go unnoticed outside, but we recognize them," he continued.
"We appreciate his desire to work hard and score, and I am confident that the goals will come," he remarked.
"With positive results and performances, gaining confidence is crucial in football, especially at this club," he added.
"Winning is paramount here. We must secure victories, and in this competition, there is no alternative," he stressed.
"We still have a long journey ahead, but we are optimistic that if we concentrate on each upcoming match, we can achieve success," he concluded.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim commented during the press conference, "It's not just about what he contributes to the team, but to the club as well. We've discussed Bruno extensively," as noted by Sky Sports.
"We understand his frustration. He is deeply committed to winning. At times, when the team is struggling, he adjusts his position to chase the ball," he added.
At times, he needs to place a bit more trust in his teammates, allowing them to perform their roles effectively and enhance his own gameplay, he remarked.
"He is always available when we require his support. He can adapt his position, advance the ball, score goals, and facilitate transitions, as he demonstrated today," he observed.
"In the final 10 minutes of the match, he is capable of defending. He is an ideal captain for our squad. We must assist him in achieving titles because he is a legend," he stated.
A moment of sportsmanship occurred late in the match when United believed they had earned a third penalty following Hamari Traore's challenge on Dorgu. However, the referee reversed the call, with Dorgu acknowledging that Traore had legitimately won the ball.
"It varies. It's the right course of action. I take pride in him. I can't say whether my response would differ if we were at 0-0 or trailing," Amorim commented on the situation, as reported by Sky Sports.
"He performed well. His performance improved throughout the game. He is gaining valuable experience in that position. He possesses the physical attributes necessary to compete in our league. It was a solid game and a commendable play from Dorgu," he added.
