Manchester United vs Real Sociedad LIVE: Europa League consequence and response after sensible Bruno Fernandes hits hat-trick
Manchester United lead Real Sociedad 4-2 on aggregate in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie after a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick earned a 3-1 advantage on the night.
Ruben Amorim’s side were held to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg in San Sebastian last week and suffered an early setback when Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the spot after Matthijs de Ligt’s clumsy challenge.
But United hit back quickly with a penalty of their own from Fernandes and the Portuguese punished the hosts with another strike from 12 yards following a foul on the lively Patrick Dorgu.
The Spanish outfit’s hopes were then dashed when Dorgu proved too quick and slippery for Venezuela’s Jon Aramburu, who made contact as the Dane was poised to dash through on goal. Fernandes’ ruthless finish after a clinical counter-attack saw the Portuguese register his hat-trick to break La Real’s resistance.
A win was the perfect response for Ruben Amorim after some of his side were labelled “overpaid” and “underperforming” by owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Follow updates from Manchester United v Real Sociedad in our live blog below:
GOAL! Man Utd 4-1 Real Sociedad (5-2 Agg)
91min: Its one last nail in the coffin for Sociedad.
The visitors’ heads have gone down in a major way. Rasmus Hojlund picks up the ball on the left flank and drives to the byline before cutting the ball back to Diogo Dalot, who finishes emphatically into the roof of the net.
An assist for Hojlund is not quite what he would have wanted to take away from tonight, but he won’t mind – that’ll be huge for his confidence.
Man Utd 3-1 Real Sociedad (4-2 Agg)
90min: What a moment that would have been! Fernandes whips a cross into the box and Ayden Heaven is under it – he attempts an audacious bicycle kick but does not meet the ball.
GOAL! Man Utd 3-1 Real Sociedad (4-2 Agg)
87min: And that will be that. Fernandes completes his hat-trick.
Sociedad make a rare foray forward but Oskarsson loses the ball on the edge of the box and he is punished for it.
Garnacho receives the ball on the half turn and drives towards the center of the pitch as Fernandes takes the space. Garnacho finds him and the captain finishes his hat-trick in the bottom left corner.
He had Hojlund available across the box, but he goes it alone. Fernandes rescues United again.
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (3-2 Agg)
84min: United look to have their third penalty of the night as Dorgu goes down in the box under influence from Traore, but the referee changes his mind after initially pointing to the spot.
Upon further inspection, it looks to be a perfect tackle from Traore.
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (3-2 Agg)
81mins: United have been far from clinical tonight.
Bruno plays a sweet through ball into Zirkzee – his shot is well saved. Mazroui collects the rebound and finds Zirkzee again, but he heads wide across goal.
The hosts quite easily could have scored four tonight, but Bruno’s pair of penalties remain the difference.
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (3-2 Agg)
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (3-2 Agg)
78min: Bruno Fernandes takes a slapshot from range. It dips awkwardly but is right down the middle and a routine save for Remiro.
Casemiro makes way for Toby Collyer in United’s first sub of the night.
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (3-2 Agg)
74min: Sociedad just look to be out of ideas. A goal behind and a man down – what’s to do?
The referee issues a sixth yellow card to the visitors, for further insult to the already painful injury.
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad: Dorgu causes havoc
Man United are in the box seat now, here’s Richard Jolly with the latest insight from Old Trafford:
“Sociedad are finding it increasingly hard to contain Dorgu with first Aramburu sent off for fouling him and then Elustondo booked. Dorgu’s last game at Old Trafford brought a red card for him. He can enjoy the role reversal.”
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (3-2 Agg)
70mins: Garnacho breaks down the right wing, and his wayward cross bobbles its way to Hojlund, who has all the time in the world but scuffs his shot into a nearby defender.
Imagine the catharsis when that goal finally comes. It can’t be far away, can it?
