Man United skipper Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick to lead his side to victory against 10-man Real Sociedad at Old Trafford and book a Europa League quarter-final encounter with French club Lyon.
Needing a victory to keep alive their hopes of marking Ruben Amorim’s first year in charge with silverware and knowing the tournament is their only realistic chance of securing European football next season, Man United got off to the worst possible start as Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the spot after being brought down by Matthijs de Ligt.
Thankfully for the hosts, the were level within six minutes as Fernandes kept his cool after Igor Zubeldia had taken Rasmus Hojlund down as the Dane was bearing down on the Sociedad goal.
Remarkably, it took a third penalty of the night to get United’s noses in front.
Aritz Elustondo complained long after it was ruled he had fouled Patrick Dorgu. It made no difference, and for the third time, the goalkeeper went the wrong way as Fernandes found the net for from the spot for his 14th goal of the season.
The Spanish visitors’ last chance seemed to disappear midway through the second half when Jon Aramburu was sent off for hauling down Dorgu, who would have been through.
But just for good measure, Man United struck twice more before the end.
Fernandes completed his second hat-trick for the club with a low finish across goal and into the far corner before fellow Portugal international Diogo Dalot drilled home a fourth in stoppage time.
