Manchester United booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League courtesy of a 4-1 victory over 10-man Real Sociedad in the second leg of their last-16 contest in the competition on Thursday night.
The tie was delicately poised following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Spain, but Man United were comfortable winners on the night to comfortably secure a position in the final eight of the tournament and keep their Champions League hopes for next season alive.
Real Sociedad took a 10th-minute lead from the penalty spot, with Mikel Oyarzabal converting after being challenged by Matthijs de Ligt, but Bruno Fernandes then scored twice from the spot for the 20-time English champions.
Igor Zubeldia fouled Rasmus Hojlund in the first incident, while Aritz Elustondo challenged Patrick Dorgu in the second, and Fernandes took both opportunities to send Ruben Amorim's side, who will take on Lyon in the final eight, into a 2-1 lead on the night.
Real Sociedad's task became harder when they lost Jon Aramburu to a red card for a last-man challenge on Dorgu, and the La Liga outfit conceded twice more late on, with Fernandes netting his hat trick before Diogo Dalot smashed one home in stoppage time.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Amorim needed a night like this.
It started terribly for Man United, with Real Sociedad making the breakthrough early on, but the response from the 20-time English champions was terrific, and this was comfortably their best performance under Amorim, at least from an attacking point of view.
The Red Devils carried an attacking threat throughout the contest, while there were standout performances from youngsters Ayden Heaven, Dorgu and Joshua Zirkzee alongside Fernandes, who inspired his side during a stunning display.
In truth, Real Sociedad were disappointing, and their task was always going to be tough late on after losing a player, but this night was all about Man United and a coming-of-age performance from the club.
This Premier League season has been a write-off, but Champions League football for next season can be secured through the Europa League, and the Red Devils must be viewed as one of the favourites.
Old Trafford was bouncing on Thursday night, and Amorim will now be feeling a lot better about his position at the helm.
MAN UNITED VS. REAL SOCIEDAD HIGHLIGHTS
Mikel Oyarzabal goal vs. Man United (10th min, Man United 0-1 Real Sociedad)
Real Sociedad make the breakthrough in the 10th minute of the contest, as Oyarzabal converts from the penalty spot; the Spaniard was fouled by De Ligt inside the box, and the penalty was given following intervention from the VAR, with the referee sent across to the monitor.
Bruno Fernandes goal vs. Real Sociedad (16th min, Man United 1-1 Real Sociedad)
All square at Old Trafford, as Fernandes scores from the penalty spot after Hojlund had been fouled inside the box by Zubeldia; we have had two penalties in the early stages of this contest, and both have been dispatched.
Bruno Fernandes goal vs. Real Sociedad (50th min, Man United 2-1 Real Sociedad)
Man United are awarded another penalty, as Elustondo bundles into Dorgu inside the penalty box, and Fernandes steps up to send Man United 2-1 ahead on the night and 3-2 on aggregate - three penalties at Old Trafford tonight.
63rd min: Jon Aramburu (Real Sociedad) red card
Real Sociedad are reduced to 10 men, as Aramburu is sent off for a last-man challenge on the excellent Dorgu.
Bruno Fernandes goal vs. Real Sociedad (87th min, Man United 3-1 Real Sociedad)
Man United are through to the quarter-finals of the competition, and it is a hat trick for Fernandes, as the Portugal international strikes a pass from Alejandro Garnacho into the bottom corner of the net - incredible performance from him!
Diogo Dalot goal vs. Real Sociedad (91st min, Man United 4-1 Real Sociedad)
Man United have a fourth in second-half stoppage time, with Dalot smashing one into the back of the net following excellent work from Hojlund; the Red Devils have been brilliant at Old Trafford.
MAN OF THE MATCH - BRUNO FERNANDES
Dorgu deserves a mention tonight, with the left-sided wing-back exceptional for Man United, but it is difficult to overlook Fernandes considering the level of the Portugal international's performance.
Fernandes scored twice from the penalty shot, showing nerves of steel in the process, before hitting his hat trick late on, but it was his overall work that impressed the most, with the Red Devils captain dragging his side into the quarter-finals of the competition.
MAN UNITED VS. REAL SOCIEDAD MATCH STATS
Possession: Man United 60%-40% Real Sociedad
Shots: Man United 25-8 Real Sociedad
Shots on target: Man United 10-3 Real Sociedad
Corners: Man United 6-4 Real Sociedad
Fouls: Man United 6-13 Real Sociedad
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Both of these sides will now switch their attention back to domestic football, with Man United in Premier League action away to Leicester City on Sunday night, while Real Sociedad will tackle Rayo Vallecano in Spain's top flight on the same evening.
Man United have marched into the quarter-finals of the Europa League, and they will take on Lyon over two legs in the final eight.
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