Bruno Fernandes proved once again that in times of crisis, he is the man to step up.
Image credit: Premier League
Manchester United’s Europa League journey is still alive, thanks to their captain, Bruno Fernandes, who delivered a stunning hat-trick to propel the Red Devils into the quarter-finals with a commanding 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford.
The win secured a 5-2 aggregate triumph, setting up a mouthwatering clash with French side Lyon in the next round.
A Game of Penalties and Drama
United’s night started on a shaky note when Mikel Oyarzabal converted an early penalty for Sociedad after Matthijs de Ligt brought him down inside the box.
Garnacho was the ultimate hype man for his Man Utd teammates 🤗 pic.twitter.com/gROwL0vAqs
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 13, 2025
But the hosts responded quickly as Fernandes coolly slotted home from the spot after Rasmus Højlund was fouled.
The game’s turning point came with yet another penalty, as Patrick Dorgu was brought down, allowing Fernandes to step up again and give United the lead.
Sociedad’s struggles worsened when Jon Aramburu received a straight red card for pulling down Dorgu as he raced toward goal.
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Fernandes Seals the Deal
With Sociedad down to ten men, United capitalized. Fernandes completed his hat-trick with a well-placed finish before Diogo Dalot drilled in a stoppage-time goal to put the game beyond doubt.
Enough said. pic.twitter.com/g8yQroge9Y
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 13, 2025
The Portuguese duo celebrated together, marking a dominant European night for United.
A Turbulent Week at Old Trafford
This emphatic win comes amid off-field turmoil at United. Fan protests against the Glazer ownership have intensified, while new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe raised concerns about the club’s financial future.
His controversial remarks about some players being “overpaid” and “not good enough” only added to the tension.
However, amidst the uncertainty, Fernandes stood tall. The United skipper, often criticized for his leadership, proved once again that in times of crisis, he is the man to step up.
Joshua Zirkzee – A Fighter’s Mentality
Another standout performer was Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch forward, who struggled earlier in the season and even faced jeers from the home crowd in December, showed resilience and determination.
He played a key role in United’s attacking moves, almost setting up a goal for Højlund, and demonstrated that he may yet have a future at the club.
What’s Next for United?
With a Europa League quarter-final date against Lyon now set, United’s hopes of European football next season are still alive.
Fernandes, with 15 goals this season, will continue to be pivotal, while Rasmus Højlund needs to rediscover his scoring touch.
Can United carry this momentum forward, or will off-field distractions derail their campaign? One thing is certain—Bruno Fernandes isn’t done yet.