Manchester United 4-1 (5-2) Real Sociedad Player Ratings: Bruno Fernandes’ sensational hattrick takes the Reds into the quarters

Manchester United cruised into the last eight in the Europa League at the expense of Real Sociedad after beating them 4-1 (5-2 on aggregate). The Red Devils won the crunch game at Old Trafford thanks to a Bruno Fernandes hattrick that included a brace from the penalty spot.

The game was heavily marred by the referee’s interventions as three goals were scored from 12 yards out. Real Sociedad played the last quarter of the game a man down as Jon Aramburu was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Diogo Dalot too got on the scoresheet late in the game.

The hosts pretty much fielded the same eleven from the first leg with Ayden Heaven replacing the injured Leny Yoro. The highly-rated 18-year-old was given his first start for the Red Devils following his move from Arsenal in January. Ruben Amorim stuck Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role yet again to maximize his side’s threat.

Real Sociedad were glad to welcome Martin Zubimendi into the lineup ahead of the injured Luka Sucic to seek more control in the middle of the park. Mikel Oyarzabal led the line once again to put them ahead in the contest. Sheraldo Becker joined him on the left of the attack.

La Real were the aggressors from the start at Old Trafford. Their positive intent was repaid when Aritz Elustondo played a teasing cross into the middle and it looked like Matthijs de Ligt made a fine tackle. But the referee was advised to go to the monitor as the Dutch defender appeared to have caught Mikel Oyrzabal on the Achilles. Mikel Oyarzabl stepped up and dispatched his second penalty of the tie to put the visitors in front as de Ligt was also booked for a cynical tackle.

The goal breathed some life into Manchester United as they attacked with more purpose. Igor Zubeldia was the guilty party in the 15th minute when he hacked down Rasmus Hojlund in the six-yard box after a chipped ball from Casemiro. Bruno Fernandes was the calmest man in the house for the hosts as he slotted his spot-kick into the bottom left corner. There was some controversy again as Hojlund got the shot away before being fouled to win the penalty.

The rest of the first half was an entertaining affair as both sides traded blow for blow. Patrick Dorgu and Joshua Zirkzee combined delightfully on the left flank and had 5 shots between them to aid United’s quest for the second goal. Real Sociedad on the other hand went close through Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyerzabal. But the game went into the half-time break at 1-1.

Manchester United came out of the blocks flying in the second half as some neat interplay allowed Patrick Dorgu to get on the ball in the box in the 48th minute. The Danish international cynically collided with Elustondo and the referee pointed it to the spot. It looked like a normal coming together but a brief VAR check did confirm the soft penalty. Bruno Fernandes won the mind games again as he went for the bottom right corner this time to put Manchester United 3-2 ahead in the tie.

Real Sociedad responded with a triple substitution to going behind. But Imanol Alguacil’s plans unraveled in the worst way possible as substitute Jon Aramburu was sent off just minutes after coming on. The young Venezuelan took out Patrick Dorgu who was charging at goal at full speed from 45 yards out when Zirkzee found him with a lovely through pass. The referee deemed it was a certain denial of a goal-scoring opportunity and decided to take the extreme step.

A man and a goal down, Real Sociedad’s prospects were looking bleak as Manchester United sought to kill the game with another goal. Rasmus Hojlund probably had the biggest chance to seal the tie but couldn’t find the net end his poor goalscoring form. Alex Remiro was at full stretch to deny Zirkzee late on. Fernandes thought he would complete his hat trick with another penalty but the VAR intervened to cancel the penalty the referee wrongfully awarded.

There was no penalty needed as he slammed a thumping finish across the face of the goal in the 87th minute to finish off a flowing move. The Portuguese international sealed off a remarkable performance as the Red Devils sealed progression. Diogo Dalot added some gloss to the scoreline as he blasted Hojlund’s layoff into the net.

Manchester United have faint hopes of silverware alive in the Europa League as they drag themselves to the last eight. They will however need to show these levels consistently to go all the way. The Europa League looks like their best bet to make it to Europe next season. They are up against the French side Lyon in the last 8. They will travel to basement boys Leicester in the league on the weekend.

Real Sociedad exited the tournament in the Round of 16 yet again. They will be disappointed not to make their dominance count by not being more clinical. In La Liga, they will travel to Rayo Vallecano in a bid to save their league season.

Manchester United Player Ratings

GK – Andre Onana – 6/10

Did his part with the usual stops but couldn’t do anything to deny the penalty kick. Made some fine long passes with his feet.

CB – Noussair Mazraoui – 7/10

The Moroccan was the volume passer out of the defence for the hosts as they built up from the right before springing to life on the left. Had a good game defensively by winning key challenges.

CB – Matthijs de Ligt – 6/10

It looked like a good tackle in real time but he was penalized for catching Oyarzabal in the 10th minute as he conceded a penalty. Did recover well to not lose his head. Had a great chance in the second half to score a goal following a free kick.

CB – Ayden Heaven- 7/10

On his first-ever start for United and in a knockout game, Heaven showed no nerves. The youngster took to the occasion brilliantly as he was composed in passing and assured in tackling. Bright future ahead for him.

RWB – Diogo Dalot – 8/10

The Portuguese international made good shifts up and down the pitch and was purposeful with his attacks too. Delivered a couple of good crosses that needed intervention. Scored the final game of the tie with a well-taken finish.

CM – Bruno Fernandes – 10/10

He could do nothing wrong at the moment as he is influencing the game from a deeper position as well. Scored both of his penalties with aplomb to seal the result for this side. Completed his hat trick with yet another fine finish to show his ruthlessness.

CM – Casemiro – 7/10

A vintage Casemiro turned up on the night as he played some good passes and more importantly got all his tackles right. He was subbed off to a standing ovation.

LWB – Patrick Dorgu – 8/10

The Danish international had three shots and was a constant menace on the left-hand side. He was responsible for winning a penalty and getting a man sent off as well.

RF – Alejandro Garnacho – 7.5/10

SHowcased his willingness to run directly at the opposition and was smart with the ball. Released Fernandes crisply to help him seal his treble.

ST – Rasmus Hojlund – 7/10

Won a penalty with a shot he should’ve scored with. His linkup play was much better on the night as he made an assist late on in the game.

LF – Joshua Zirkzee – 7.5/10

The Dutchman was mercurial as he skipped past several players and created multiple chances. His linkup with Dorgu caught eye especially. A role behind the striker seems to fit him perfectly.

Sub – Toby Collyer – 6/10

Sub – Christian Eriksen- N/A

Manager – Ruben Amorim – 8/10

His side showed the perfect response after going behind early in the game. His players are getting more comfortable with his ideas with each passing game as the defense is starting to look tighter every game. The attack too is clicking as his forwards are displaying fine interplay.

Also Read: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal Player Ratings: Arsenal Fight Back to Share Spoils at Old Trafford

Real Sociedad Player Ratings

GK – Alex Remiro – 6/10

Could do nothing to prevent any of the four goals. He was powerless to deny the penalties. Did play a loose pass that led to another goal as well.

RB – Aritz Elustondo – 6/10

He won a penalty with attacking intent early on in the game but conceded one in the second half to balance it out as well.

CB – Igor Zubedia – 6/10

An extremely poor tackle on Hojlund to give United a way into the game while defending a one-goal lead. Took a hit and played the game with a bruised lip.

CB – Nayef Aguerd – 6/10

Not a happy return to the British Isles for the ex-West Ham defender as he was given a hiding by United. He was overwhelmed when Sociedad went a man down in the closing stages.

LB – Aihen Munoz – 6/10

Did try his best to aid his attackers but was nowhere impactful enough to drive them forward.

DM – Martin Zubimendi – 6/10

A bit of rustiness was on display as he couldn’t impose himself on the game as much as he would have loved to.

CM – Benat Turrientes – 6/10

A rather bland display from the Spaniard as he couldn’t help his side in the attacking third.

CM – Pablo Marin – 5.5/10

The youngster was rather anonymous on the pitch as Manchester United dropped deep to increase numbers in the midfield and overwhelm them.

RW – Takefusa Kubo – 7/10

He was the only bright spark in the attack as he asked multiple questions in the first half. However, he faded into oblivion in the second period.

ST – Mikel Oyarzabal – 6/10

The reliable Spaniard was nowhere to be seen after burying the early penalty. Just being a striker is not natural enough for him.

LW – Sheraldo Becker- 5.5/10

He was a lost man on the pitch as he struggled at times to even make the ball stick to his feet. Couldn’t offer an outlet to his side at all to relieve some pressure.

Sub – Jon Aramburu- 3/10

Just minutes after coming on, he needlessly took out who was a good 50 yards out to be sent off. Certainly cost his side as they lost the momentum and any fighting chance of a comeback.

Sub – Benat Turrientes- 6/10

Sub – Ander Barrenetxea – 6/10

Sub – Orri Osakarsson- 6/10

Sub – Hamari Traore- 6/10

Manager – Imanol Alguacil – 5/10

Couldn’t help the side recover after they sleepwalked into a slump in the game. His substitutions have gone wrong horribly as one of them picked a red card. The lack of in-game management was on display as they had no answers in defense after going down to 10.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match: Bruno Fernandes

Also Read: Atletico Madrid 1-0 (2-4) Real Madrid Player Ratings: Los Blancos book a ticket to the quarter-finals after shootout shenanigans