Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick as Manchester United got here from behind in a recreation that includes three penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a 4-1 win over Actual Sociedad.
Having battled to a 1-1 attract San Sebastián final week, United fell behind when Mikel Oyarzabal transformed a Tenth-minute spot-kick.
However referee Benoit Bastien and the VAR performed a starring function as United turned it round due to a pair of near-identical Fernandes penalties.
Bastien then left the LaLiga aspect with a mountain to climb when he confirmed Jon Aramburu a straight crimson card within the 63rd minute, with the uphill job proving an excessive amount of for the Basque aspect as Fernandes accomplished his treble and Diogo Dalot added a fourth late on to e book a last-eight assembly with Lyon.
BRUNO FERNANDES GETS HIS HAT-TRICK!
The Man United captain places his staff 4-2 up on mixture to successfully assure their place within the Europa League Quarter-Finals 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/iu9RMwfsrx
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025
Manchester United vs Actual Sociedad
Sociedad have been rewarded for a brilliant begin within the Tenth minute when Oyarzabal scored a penalty for the second time within the tie, coolly slotting into the bottom-right nook as, after a prolonged VAR verify, Bastien went to the monitor and dominated he had been fouled by Matthijs de Ligt.
However United responded beautifully and levelled from the spot when Fernandes matched Oyarzabal’s composure following Igor Zubeldia’s foul on Rasmus Hojlund, the Portugal star nonchalantly sliding the ball into the bottom-left nook.
United’s equaliser significantly lifted the temper at Previous Trafford and set in movement an entertaining and open first half, albeit one which ended with out both goalkeeper being examined once more.
Nevertheless, United accomplished the turnaround 5 minutes into the second half. Alex Remiro may solely flip Joshua Zirkzee’s effort into the trail of Patrick Dorgu, who collided with Aritz Elustondo.
Bastien paused earlier than ultimately pointing to the spot and, whereas Fernandes needed to endure a prolonged wait earlier than VAR upheld what regarded a doubtful choice, he as soon as once more maintained his cool to transform what was virtually a carbon copy of his first penalty, with this one going to Remiro’s left.
Aramburu was dismissed when he hauled down the spectacular Dorgu and was adjudged to have been the final man. That eliminated Sociedad from the equation as a critical menace, and United made hay in including gloss to the scoreline.
Zirkzee was denied from shut vary earlier than heading vast, and United had a 3rd penalty award overturned by VAR after Dorgu went over within the space.
However Fernandes capped his instrumental show along with his third when he broke free into the best aspect of the world and steered past Remiro, with Dalot then finishing a uncommon great evening for United this season by slamming residence within the 91st minute.