Man Utd vs Real Sociedad LIVE RESULT: Red Devils DOMINATE Sociedad after Bruno Fernandes hat-trick, Spurs also win vs AZ
MANCHESTER UNITED are through to the Champions League quarter-finals after DOMINATING Real Sociedad at Old Trafford.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored his second penalty of the tie in the first ten minutes, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.
Rasmus Hojlund won United a penalty at the other end of the pitch, and Bruno Fernandes, as he always does, stepped up and converted for the Red Devils.
Fernandes scored another penalty in the second half, before sealing the deal with a fantastic finish in the dying embers. Diogo Dalot added the finishing touches in added time.
Tottenham also progress to the quarter-final after a Wilson Odobert brace helped them to a 3-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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That's all from Old Trafford
Where it's been a rare red letter day for Manchester United and Ruben Amorim.
And once again both were grateful to Bruno Fernandes for leading the charge.
The captain hit a hat-trick as the Red Devils dispatched Real Sociedad in the Last 16 of the Europa League to set up a quarter-final clash with Lyon.
It was arguably United's best showing since Amorim took charge, and an indication of what may yet lie ahead if the club can start to get things right. Watch this space.
Goodnight.
Three and easy for Bruno
It's now six goals in his last six appearances for Bruno Fernandes.
A real captain's performance.
Credit: @EuropaLeague on X Dorgu: We played our own game
Another standout star of Manchester United's four-goal display was Patrick Dorgu.
The Dane was a constant threat on the left, and was responsible for winning a penalty as well as the foul that led to Real Sociedad's red card.
It is perhaps no surprise that both he and Ayden Heaven - two winter signings - were so pivotal to the best attacking performance of Ruben Amorim's reign.
It was a really good win and we dominated from the first minute. They got an early penalty but after that we responded well and played well. The key was to control the game with the ball and be patient, not to overthink too much and just to play our game.
Patrick Dorgu
United grateful after paying pennies for Heaven
Eighteen-year-old Ayden Heaven made his first start for Manchester United this evening, and performed with all the composure of a seasoned international defender.
Credit: @StatmanDave on X Amorim: Bruno deserves titles
Ruben Amorim paid tribute to Bruno Fernandes - and then declared that his captain should be regularly winning leagues and cups.
The Portuguese ace played another starring role as Manchester United saw off Real Sociedad in the Europa League, although the Red Devils boss also admitted that his compatriot can be guilty of doing too much.
Sometimes he wants to win too much. It's not a bad thing, but sometimes he goes around in different positions and shows frustration. He can play set-pieces, he can score penalties under pressure, and make transitions late in games. We need to help him win titles because he deserves it.
Ruben AmorimThe Europa League king
With his hat-trick tonight, Bruno Fernandes now has more goal involvements in the Europa League than any player in the competition's history.
The Portuguese star has scored 24 goals and assisted 17 more on Europe's second-biggest stage.
Match stats from Old Trafford
Manchester United's 25 shots, 10 shots on target and xG of 4.02 are all their best totals in a match under Ruben Amorim so far.
From Martin Blackburn at Old Trafford
A great night for Ruben Amorim and his Portuguese men of four.
Diogo Dalot got on the scoresheet late on but it was all about Bruno Fernandes who claimed the match-ball and led by example all night.
Amid all the slashing of costs and job cuts at United they may have to find a way to give Fernandes a pay rise.
Time and time again he comes to their rescue and it is thanks to him that they will be in quarter finals next month – with the dream of Champions League football next season still alive.
Tonight's Europa League ties
It's been a good night for both English sides in the Europa League with Tottenham also progressing after fighting back to eliminate AZ Alkmaar.
But Rangers have a scrap on their hands after seeing their two-goal advantage wiped out by Fenerbache at Ibrox, where they are now into extra-time.
- Man Utd 4-1 Real Sociedad (Agg: 5-2) FT
- Rangers 0-2 Fenerbahce (Agg: 3-3) EXTRA TIME BEING PLAYED
- Tottenham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar (Agg: 3-2) FT
Full time - Man Utd 4-1 Real Sociedad (Agg: 5-2)
Manchester United march into the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
The Red Devils will now face Lyon in the last eight.
Man Utd 4-1 Real Sociedad (Agg: 5-2)
90+4. There haven't been too many nights at Old Trafford like this recently.
They may have been helped by two penalties and a red card, but four-goal victories and successful European nights are what many in this stadium were brought up on.
Man Utd 4-1 Real Sociedad (Agg: 5-2)
90+1. Diogo Dalot puts the icing on the cake!
United are ending this one with a flourish, and suddenly these players - beleaguered for so long - are playing with a real confidence.
They're queuing up to score too, and when Rasmus Hojlund does well to work the ball back in from the byline, Dalot arrives to sidefoot into the roof the net.
Four!
Man Utd 3-1 Real Sociedad (Agg: 4-2)
89. Heaven tries an overhead kick.
He doesn't connect with the cross, but it gives some indication of the freedom that these United players are suddenly operating with.
Man Utd 3-1 Real Sociedad (Agg: 4-2)
87. What a player Bruno Fernandes is!
Not disheartened by missing out on the opportunity to net a hat-trick of penalties, the Manchester United captain simply rises to the fore on the next attack.
Taking advantage of the extra man, Fernandes overlaps on the right to receive Alejandro Garnacho's measured pass, and promptly whips his shot low past Alex Remiro and into the bottom corner.
It's a second Manchester United treble for the Portuguese ace, and his first for three-and-a-half years.
Hat-trick!
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (Agg: 3-2)
84. It's been a while but Manchester United have another penalty!
It's the lively Dorgu who is sent sprawling again, this time by the sliding challenge of Traore.
The Real Sociedad player can't believe it, and I'm not sure Dorgu can either as he appears to tell the referee 'no penalty'.
It prompts a VAR check in which the referee is informed that the defender won the ball first before the United man was sent to ground.
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (Agg: 3-2)
81. For the first time in a long time, United are cracking open some champaign football.
Bruno Fernandes is pulling strings, and it's he who sets off Noussair Mazraoui for some brilliance on the right flank.
A nutmeg and a measured cross puts a chance on a plate for Joshua Zirkzee, who heads despairingly wide.
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (Agg: 3-2)
78. Young Toby Collyer is on for the Red Devils.
The 21-year-old takes over in midfield from Casemiro, who has put in a decent shift for the hosts.
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (Agg: 3-2)
74. Bruno Fernandes has his eyes on a hat-trick.
The Portuguese pass-master lines up a quickfire effort from just outside the box, only for it take a deflection and loop straight at the goalkeeper.
From Martin Blackburn at Old Trafford
Bruno Fernandes was the coolest man on the park – slotting home his second spot-kick of the night just after half time.
Where would United be without their skipper and talisman? More than likely going out of the Europa League.
Sociedad going down to 10-men following Aramburu’s red card means the quarter finals beckon for Amorim’s men.
An update from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Wilson Odobert has followed his first Tottenham goal earlier this evening with his second.
The former Burnley youngster has put Spurs 3-1 up on the night, and back in charge of their Last 16 tie.
Tottenham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar (Agg: 3-2)
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (Agg: 3-2)
69. With the extra man, United are dominating the ball.
It would take something particularly disastrous for the Red Devils to let this tie slip from their grasp now.
Never say never, mind.
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (Agg: 3-2)
67. Well, that's the opposite of the phrase 'good football all around'.
Garnacho finds room on the right flank, but makes a mess of his cross with plenty of options available.
It's an easy clearance for the the defender, except he instead takes such a heavy touch that it allows Hojlund to take over.
The striker has time and room to weigh up his finish yet takes advantage of neither, scuffing a wayward shot straight at an opponent.
An update from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Spurs have been pegged back in North London.
Peer Koopmeiners has fired AZ Alkmaar level on aggregate, and with little under half hour remaining, the Premier League side have to respond again.
Tottenham 2-1 AZ Alkmaar (Agg: 2-2)