Bruno Fernandes’ hat-trick fires Manchester United into Europa League Quarter-Finals

Bruno Fernandes delivered a masterclass performance as Manchester United cruised into the Europa League quarter-finals with a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday, sealing a 5-2 aggregate win.

The match started with an early setback for United when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty to give Sociedad the lead. However, Fernandes quickly leveled the score from the spot and struck again with another penalty in the 50th minute. The Portuguese midfielder then secured United’s place in the last eight by netting his 15th goal of the season.

Diogo Dalot added the final goal of the night, capping off a memorable evening for manager Ruben Amorim. With United sitting 14th in the Premier League and eliminated from domestic cup competitions, the Europa League remains their only hope for silverware this season.

A packed Old Trafford crowd of 74,000 cheered the team on, though protests against co-owners, the Glazer family, continued.

Sociedad, struggling in La Liga, had hoped for European success and started the match strongly. Oyarzabal won and converted a penalty in the 10th minute after being fouled by Matthijs de Ligt. Having scored Sociedad’s equalizer in the first leg, Oyarzabal confidently sent Andre Onana the wrong way again, putting United under pressure.

However, the Red Devils responded quickly. Rasmus Hojlund, still searching for a goal after 21 games, was brought down while attempting to reach Fernandes’ pass, earning a penalty that the United captain calmly converted.

United could have taken the lead before halftime, but Hojlund missed a golden opportunity, flicking Joshua Zirkzee’s cross wide. Five minutes into the second half, they got another chance. Patrick Dorgu, reacting quickly to a rebound, was fouled by Aritz Elustondo, leading to Fernandes’ second successful penalty.

Sociedad’s troubles worsened when Jon Aramburu received a straight red card for a foul on the lively Dorgu.

Despite dominating the match, United’s strikers continued to struggle. Zirkzee was denied by goalkeeper Alex Remiro and later missed an open header.

Fernandes, however, showed the finishing touch his teammates lacked. He calmly drilled Alejandro Garnacho’s pass into the bottom corner three minutes from time.

Hojlund eventually made an impact with an assist, setting up Dalot, who smashed the ball into the net to complete the scoring.

With this win, Manchester United will now face Lyon in the quarter-finals as they continue their quest for European glory.