Fernandes hat-trick eases United into quarter-finals

Manchester United win 5-2 on aggregate

- RICHARD JOLLY

Even in the week the death warrant for Old Trafford was signed, Manchester United showed there is still life in their season. When they trailed to Real Sociedad, it seemed as though it may be over in March, Old Trafford condemned to a year without European football, perhaps even having staged its last continental game. A comeback later, a Basque club were beaten and United’s hopes of returning to the Champions League via the Basque country were enhanced amid excitement.

It was a cracking night, for the creaking old ground, the young head coach and the captain alike. There are times when it has seemed that Bruno Fernandes is on a one-man crusade to salvage something from United’s season. His evening finished with the prize of the match ball for a hat-trick. His campaign may yet end with him lifting the Europa League trophy in Bilbao in May. “He is a perfect captain for our team and we need to help him win titles,” said manager Ruben Amorim. “When we need it, he is always there.”

Not for the first time, United needed Fernandes. In a game of three penalties – a fourth was awarded but overturned, aided by the sportsmanship of Patrick Dorgu – United conceded the first and Fernandes scored two before finishing off a counterattack. Sociedad remain the last visitors to win at Old Trafford in the Europa League, but at the start of Erik ten Hag’s reign.

In an atmosphere to savour, United produced their best attacking performance under Amorim. Troubled as his introduction to English football has been, United are the only unbeaten side in the Europa League, a record they will take to Lyon in the last eight. For Sociedad, the dream of a final against their rivals Athletic Bilbao ended, finished off by Fernandes.