Manchester United 4-1 Real Sociedad result: Bruno Fernandes’ hat-trick fires Red Devils into Europa League last eight

Bruno Fernandes struck a hat-trick as Manchester United beat 10-man Real Sociedad 4-1 to sweep into the quarter finals of the UEFA Europa League and keep their season alive.

The Red Devils got off to a dreadful start as Mikel Oyarzabal fired home a 10th-minute opener from the spot after VAR had intervened to ask the referee to consult the pitch-side monitor to assess a potential foul on the Real forward.

The home team responded and were level six minutes later as Fernandes also converted a penalty to become the all-time leading scorer from the spot in the Europa League.

Fernandes was at it again following the interval as he netted his 10th spot kick overall in the competition after a foul on Patrick Dorgu.

La Real’s night soured further just past the hour as substitute Jon Aramburu was shown a straight red card for pulling back Dorgu on the counter.

The irresistible Fernandes grabbed his hat-trick with a low strike three minutes from time before Diogo Dalot put the icing on the cake with a rising shot in stoppage time.

The result sees United prevail 5-2 on aggregate and set up a last-eight showdown with Lyon.

Next up, United visit Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday. Sociedad are away to Vallecano in La Liga. 

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League, as well as exclusive Premier League games across the 2024-25 season.

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Some lines from Bruno's post-match chat after netting his second treble for The Red Devils.

"This club is all about winning," he said. "Obviously we want to perform the best we can, but we need to win games. In this competition there is no other option, you are either in or out.

"We have a long way to go still, but we are confident if we have the right mentality we can win games."

On fighting back from 1-0 down, he said: "Obviously it was good to react quickly. We levelled the game straight away. We were a little unlucky with the penalty, but then we got our penalties."

He added: "We are really happy with the performance and the win."

On needing to deliver at a club the size of Man Utd, Bruno said: "With the result and performance you get more confident. Confidence is a big thing in football, at this club you always need to perform at the highest level. We need to back ourselves."

PAUL SCHOLES: "I never felt in any doubt over the two legs. Okay they had a dodgy start tonight and were sloppy in the first 10 minutes, but from then on I think they [United] were really comfortable in the game."

KAREN CARNEY: "The noise in here was brilliant. The fans were outstanding here and they [the players] gave them something to cheer. That man Bruno was outstanding."

It has been a tough old season, but United could yet end it on a positive note.

The Red Devils are into the last eight and will meet Lyon next.

Once again Bruno Fernandes was their star man as they won a fifth Europa League round-of-16 tie in a row and extended their unbeaten run in the last 16 to 11 games.

Man United 4-1 Real Sociedad.

Collyer booked.

Dalot flashes a rising first-time shot into the roof of the net after fine work from Hojlund on the left side of the area.

*United lead 5-2 on aggregate.

Four minutes added.

Aguerd booked for hauling back Garnacho.

Zirkzee off, Eriksen on.

The United skipper snares the match ball and sends his team through as he charges into the right side of the box and flashes a low shot into the far corner.

United lead 4-2 on aggregate.

The United man is seen saying 'no penalty' to the referee on replays.

And the referee changes his mind.

No penalty.

It's a FOURTH spot kick tonight.

La Real are going crazy.

Fernandes teases a lovely, disguised ball into Zirkzee, but his thumping shot is beaten away by the goalkeeper.

Mazraoui picks up the pieces on the right, nutmegs his man and hangs a ball to the far post that Zirkzee heads just wide.

Elustondo off, Traore on.

Casemiro off, Collyer on.

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League, as well as exclusive Premier League games across the 2024-25 season.

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.