UEL: Manchester United Advance to Europa League Quarterfinals

Bruno Fernandes' hat-trick leads Manchester United to a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, securing a spot in the Europa League quarterfinals. 

Manchester United's season just got a major boost, thanks to Bruno Fernandes' stunning hat-trick! The Red Devils secured a thrilling 4-1 win over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford, advancing to the Europa League quarter-finals with a 5-2 aggregate score. This victory keeps their European campaign unbeaten and injects new life into an otherwise underwhelming season.

The past week has been a whirlwind for Manchester United, with protests and the unveiling of plans for a brand-new stadium. Amidst all the chaos, head coach Ruben Amorim knew that progressing in the Europa League was crucial. With their domestic campaign faltering, this competition represents United's best chance at silverware. And, boy, did they deliver! Fernandes' hat-trick led the charge, ensuring United's season remains relevant.

The fallen giants struggled to find their footing initially. A penalty was awarded when Matthijs de Ligt fouled Mikel Oyarzabal inside the box, and the Spaniard calmly converted the spot-kick, just as he had done in the first leg.

Any hopes of a United comeback rested heavily on the shoulders of their talismanic midfielder, Fernandes. Fresh from scoring a stunning free-kick against Arsenal on Sunday, Fernandes once again showcased his expertise from dead-ball situations. He expertly slotted home a penalty after Igor Zubeldia had committed a foul on Rasmus Højlund, mirroring De Ligt's earlier offense.

Despite the two penalties being awarded within a six-minute span, the game's tempo refused to let up. As the Red Devils gained momentum, a golden opportunity presented itself on the half-hour mark. However, Højlund, who was struggling to end a 20-game goal drought, disappointingly scuffed his close-range effort wide of the post.

Barely two minutes into the second half, another penalty was awarded. This time, Aritz Elustondo was the culprit, fouling Patrick Dorgu. The official promptly pointed to the spot, setting the stage for another dramatic turn in the match.

Fernandes' confidence was sky-high as he stepped up to take the penalty. With a clever feint, he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way once again, scoring his fifth goal in six appearances for United. This second blow seemed to deflate La Real's spirits, allowing the hosts to take control and dictate the pace of the game.

Bruno Fernandes put on a show 🎩🪄#UEL pic.twitter.com/4PocOm6vYg

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 13, 2025

As the match progressed, United's dominance became increasingly apparent. With a record of just one home defeat in 29 UEL matches, the Red Devils began to showcase their trademark confidence. They stroked the ball around the pitch with ease, putting La Real under pressure. The visitors struggled to cope with United's attacking flair, particularly the pace of Patrick Dorgu, who proved to be a constant threat down the flank.

Just after the hour mark, Dorgu's speed sparked another dramatic turn of events. As he burst through on goal, Jon Aramburu was forced to pull him down, earning a red card in the process. Although Dorgu was still some distance from the penalty area, the foul was deemed serious enough to warrant a sending-off. This proved to be a fatal blow for La Real, who were already struggling to contain United's attack.

Fernandes capped off an outstanding performance with a stylish hat-trick goal late in the game. He smashed a powerful effort across Álex Remiro and into the bottom corner, securing a resounding victory for United. Diogo Dalot added a fourth goal in stoppage time, rifling home from Rasmus Højlund's cutback. The final whistle confirmed United's progression to the next stage, where they will face Lyon.