The captain demonstrated his worth once more with a treble as Ruben Amorim's side booked their place in the last-eight in style
Bruno Fernandes underlined his importance to Manchester United with a hat-trick as the Red Devils thrashed Real Sociedad 4-1 to storm into the Europa League quarter-finals. Ruben Amorim's side got off to a nightmare start in the second leg when Matthijs de Ligt gave away a penalty and spot-kick expert Mikel Oyarzabal made no mistake, giving the Basques a 10th-minute lead.
Six minutes later Fernandes made amends from the spot down the other end and United should have gone into the half-time break at least one goal up. United took the lead in the second courtesy of another penalty from the captain and their path through was practically secured when Jon Aramburu was sent off for hauling down the electric Patrick Dorgu.
United were awarded a third penalty only for VAR to overturn it. But Fernandes would not be denied his hat-trick and banged a third strike in off the post before Diogo Dalot added an extra shine to the confidence-boosting win in added time.
GOAL rates Man United's players from Old Trafford…
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Andre Onana (6/10):
Had little to do, facing only one shot on top of the penalty. His slow goal kicks frustrated the crowd again.
Noussair Mazraoui (7/10):
Solid in defence and daring going forward.
Matthijs de Ligt (6/10):
Was a little clumsy to give the penalty away but from then on defended well.
Ayden Heaven (6/10):
Showed bags of confidence in his first senior start although had a couple of lapses of concentration.
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Diogo Dalot (6/10):
Ran into trouble when he gave Barrenetxea the ball and Casemiro had to bail him out. Ended a frustrating performance on a high by playing the through ball leading to Fernandes' third before scoring the fourth.
Casemiro (7/10):
His third impressive performance in a row. Read the game well, intervening when needed and playing some inviting passes.
Bruno Fernandes (8/10):
Got the win on track with two perfect penalties and orchestrated much of the play with his controlling passes from deep. Got a deserved hat-trick with a ruthless strike.
Patrick Dorgu (8/10):
What a difference it makes to have a natural left-back playing the position. His electric pace was a constant thorn in the visitors' side and it was his run which Aramburu halted, earning the red card.
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Joshua Zirkzee (8/10):
Turned on the style and played as if he were Zinedine Zidane. His passing and dribbling were outstanding and he got a rousing reception when he left the pitch.
Rasmus Hojlund (5/10):
His hold-up play was good but his shooting remains terrible, fluffing a decent chance in each half. At least he got an assist for Dalot.
Alejandro Garnacho (7/10):
Ran Real Sociedad ragged in the second half and although he was desperate to score, he made do with an assist for Fernandes.
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Toby Collyer (5/10):
Came on when the win was already on track.
Christian Eriksen (N/A):
Came on in the 89th minute and had a poor shot which went straight to Remiro.
Ruben Amorim (8/10):
The best performance of his tenure by far. The team played how he wanted and took their chances.
