Bruno Fernandes scored his second hat-trick for Manchester United as they secured a place in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford, winning 5-2 on aggregate and keeping their unbeaten European run alive.
United got off to a poor start when Matthijs de Ligt fouled Mikel Oyarzabal in the box, allowing the Spaniard to score from the penalty spot, just as he did in the first leg. However, Fernandes soon stepped up to level the score, calmly converting a penalty after Igor Zubeldia brought down Rasmus Højlund.
United continued to push forward and were awarded another penalty early in the second half when Aritz Elustondo fouled Patrick Dorgu. Fernandes confidently sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to put United ahead. Sociedad’s hopes suffered another setback when Jon Aramburu was sent off for pulling down Dorgu as he raced towards goal.
Fernandes completed his hat-trick in the closing stages, drilling the ball past Álex Remiro into the bottom corner. In stoppage time, Diogo Dalot added a fourth, finishing from Højlund’s cutback to seal a comfortable win. United now progress to the quarter-finals, where they will face Lyon.
