Bruno Fernandes produced a stunning hat-trick to propel Manchester United into the Europa League quarterfinals with a commanding 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford, securing a 5-2 aggregate win.
The Portuguese midfielder was instrumental in turning the tie around after Sociedad took an early lead through Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty. Fernandes equalized from the spot just six minutes later before calmly converting another penalty early in the second half. He then sealed the result with a clinical finish late in the game, bringing his season tally to 15 goals.
Diogo Dalot added the fourth goal for United, capping off one of manager Ruben Amorim’s best nights since taking charge. The victory keeps United’s hopes of European silverware alive in what has been a turbulent season, with the team struggling in 14th place in the Premier League and already out of domestic cup competitions.
Despite a lively atmosphere at Old Trafford, where 74,000 fans roared their team on, protests against co-owners, the Glazer family, continued. Meanwhile, Sociedad, enduring a disappointing La Liga campaign, saw their European ambitions come to an end.
United now turn their attention to the quarterfinals, where they will face Lyon in their quest for European glory.
