Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Report
Scorers: Fernandes 16’ (P), 50’ (P), 87’, Dalot 90+1’; Oyarzabal 10’ (P)
Red card: Aramburu 63’
Bruno Fernandes netted his second Manchester United hat-trick as the Red Devils thrashed Real Sociedad 4-1 at Old Trafford, securing a 5-2 aggregate victory to reach the UEFA Europa League (UEL) quarter-finals.
The result extends United’s unbeaten European campaign and keeps their hopes of silverware alive in a season that has otherwise been filled with struggles.
Early Setback as Sociedad Strike First
After a turbulent week marked by fan protests and the unveiling of plans for a new stadium, United were desperate for an on-field boost.
However, their task became harder just 12 minutes in when Matthijs de Ligt fouled Mikel Oyarzabal in the box. The Sociedad captain, just as he did in the first leg, confidently dispatched the resulting penalty to give the visitors an early lead.
With the tie hanging in the balance, United looked to their talisman for inspiration. Fernandes, fresh from scoring a stunning free-kick against Arsenal, showed his composure from the spot after Igor Zubeldia brought down Rasmus Højlund.
The Portuguese midfielder coolly converted his penalty, levelling the score on the night just six minutes after Sociedad’s opener.
Højlund’s Goal Drought Continues as United Take Control
Despite the frantic start, the intensity of the game remained relentless. United dominated possession, carving out multiple opportunities, with their best chance falling to Højlund.
However, the struggling striker, without a goal in his last 20 appearances, wasted a golden opportunity by skewing his close-range effort wide.
Fernandes Doubles Up as United Dominate
Barely two minutes into the second half, United were awarded another penalty—this time after Aritz Elustondo fouled Patrick Dorgu. Fernandes stepped up once more, confidently sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to put United ahead on aggregate.
That goal deflated Sociedad, as United grew in confidence. With the visitors reeling, the Red Devils showcased the control expected of a side that had lost just once in their last 29 home Europa League fixtures.
Sociedad Reduced to 10 as Fernandes Seals Hat-Trick
Dorgu’s blistering pace continued to trouble Sociedad, and his burst through midfield led to another major turning point.
Jon Aramburu, unable to keep up with the marauding wing-back, pulled him down near the halfway line, receiving a straight red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
With Sociedad down to 10 men and struggling in La Liga, the outcome looked inevitable. Fernandes completed his hat-trick in style, smashing a powerful strike past Álex Remiro into the bottom corner.
United weren’t finished, though, as Diogo Dalot rifled home a stoppage-time goal from Højlund’s cutback to complete a dominant 4-1 victory.
United Set Up Quarter-Final Clash with Lyon
The emphatic win sees United storm into the quarter-finals, where they will meet French side Lyon.
While domestic struggles continue to overshadow their season, their European campaign remains a beacon of hope, with Fernandes leading the charge in a competition that now represents their last chance of silverware this campaign.
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Man Utd vs Real Sociedad | UEFA Europa League 2024/25