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By the sheer will of Bruno Fernandes's hat trick and a 4-1 victory (5-2 on aggregate) over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday, Manchester United are through to the quarterfinals of the Europa League.
MORE — Man United detail new stadium plans
Manchester United's Champions League dream is still alive despite their current 14th-place standing in the Premier League, and they desperately need to qualify for Europe's top competition next season in order to balance the books and add to Ruben Amorim's squad in a meaningful way this summer.
The first three goals all came from the penalty spot as Mikel Oyarzabal fired Real Sociedad ahead in the 10th minute after Matthijs de Ligt fouled him while trying to defend a near-post cross, but the Red Devils were level within six minutes. Rasmus Hojlund was fouled in an almost identical manner at the other end of the field and Fernandes once again stepped up in a time of need to drag Man United back from the brink. Fernandes did it again in the 50th minute after Patrick Dorgu was fouled inside the box, and the captain claimed his hat trick with authority in the 87th minute.
Alejandro Garnacho played him in behind on the counter and Fernandes fired a pinpoint strike just inside the far post to give United a bit of much-needed breathing room. Speaking of much-needed contributions, Hojlund provided the assist for Diogo Dalot to make it 4-1 on the night in stoppage time. Hojlund hadn't recorded a goal or assist in any competition in over three months (Dec. 12, against Viktoria Plzen).
FotMob.com
Goalscorers: Mikel Oyarzabal (10' - PK), Bruno Fernandes (16' - PK, 50' - PK, 87'), Diogo Dalot (90'+1)
What an insane start to this second leg, as Hojlund is fouled almost identically to the one at the other end just minutes earlier. A lifeline, and a bit of noise inside Old Trafford.
Disaster strikes early for Man United, but there is little argument to be made that De Ligt didn't foul Oyarzabal, who will take the spot pick.
Onana - Mazraoui, De Ligt, Heaven - Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu - Zirkzee, Garnacho, Hojlund
Remiro - Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz - Zubimendi, Marin, Mendez - Becker, Kubo, Oyarzabal
Kick off time: 4pm ET Thursday
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV Channel/Streaming: Paramount+
United are yet to lose in their Europa League run and a win here would move Amorim and his men closer to a final. They've not lost in regulation over their last five games, drawing the first leg as well as Premier League ties with Everton and Arsenal. The Red Devils lost to Fulham in penalties after a 1-1 fifth-round FA Cup match at Old Trafford, too.
La Real are on a four-match winless run including the first leg as well as a Copa del Rey first leg loss to Real Madrid and La Liga losses to Barcelona and Sevilla.
Ex-West Ham man Nayef Aguerd has been strong for West Ham's back line, while midfielder Martin Zubimendi is one of the best in the world. There's talent in the attack but results haven't followed Orri Oskarson, Sheraldo Becker, Takefusa Kubo, Mikel Oyarzabal, and crew.
OUT: Leny Yoro (foot), Mason Mount (thigh), Jonny Evans (lower back), Luke Shaw (foot), Lisandro Martinez (torn ACL - MORE), Altay Bayindir (undisclosed), Patrick Dorgu (suspension), Kobbie Mainoo (undisclosed), Amad Diallo (ankle - out for season) | QUESTIONABLE: Harry Maguire (lower back)
OUT: Luka Sucic (muscular) | QUESTIONABLE: Arsen Zakharyan (thigh), Alvaro Odriozola (muscular), Jon Aramburu (unspecified), Jon Pacheco (muscular)
Real Sociedad have the talent to pull this off, as their defending has been pretty decent this season and United have been unreliable in the attacking third. Bruno Fernandes versus Martin Zubamendi is the highlight of a midfield battle which should go a long way toward determining the winner. Level terms feel likely over 90 and maybe even 120 minutes. Manchester United 1-1 (5-4 pens) Real Sociedad.
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MORE — Man United detail new stadium plans
Manchester United's Champions League dream is still alive despite their current 14th-place standing in the Premier League, and they desperately need to qualify for Europe's top competition next season in order to balance the books and add to Ruben Amorim's squad in a meaningful way this summer.
The first three goals all came from the penalty spot as Mikel Oyarzabal fired Real Sociedad ahead in the 10th minute after Matthijs de Ligt fouled him while trying to defend a near-post cross, but the Red Devils were level within six minutes. Rasmus Hojlund was fouled in an almost identical manner at the other end of the field and Fernandes once again stepped up in a time of need to drag Man United back from the brink. Fernandes did it again in the 50th minute after Patrick Dorgu was fouled inside the box, and the captain claimed his hat trick with authority in the 87th minute.
Alejandro Garnacho played him in behind on the counter and Fernandes fired a pinpoint strike just inside the far post to give United a bit of much-needed breathing room. Speaking of much-needed contributions, Hojlund provided the assist for Diogo Dalot to make it 4-1 on the night in stoppage time. Hojlund hadn't recorded a goal or assist in any competition in over three months (Dec. 12, against Viktoria Plzen).
Player ratings - Manchester United vs Real Sociedad
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What’s next?
- Leicester vs Manchester United — Sunday, 3 pm ET (Premier League)
- Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad — Sunday, 1:30 pm ET (La Liga)
- Manchester United vs Lyon in UEL QFs (April 10/17)
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad live updates - by Andy Edwards
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad live score: 3-1 (4-2 agg.)
Goalscorers: Mikel Oyarzabal (10' - PK), Bruno Fernandes (16' - PK, 50' - PK, 87'), Diogo Dalot (90'+1)
GOAL! Man United 4-1 (5-2 agg.) Real Sociedad: Dalot finishes Hojlund’s cross (90'+1)
GOAL! Man United 3-1 (4-2 agg.) Real Sociedad: Bruno claims his hat trick with authority (87')
RED CARD! Aramburu sent off minutes after entering the game as a sub (63')
Real Sociedad are down to ten with 30 minutes left to play
Just six minutes after entering the field, Jon Aramburu sees red for denial of a goal scoring opportunity pic.twitter.com/NKJgo3vMeb
— CBS Sports Golazo️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 13, 2025
GOAL! Man United 2-1 (3-2 agg.) Real Sociedad: Bruno does it from the spot again (50')
Bruno Fernandes converts AGAIN
Manchester United have come from behind to lead the tie pic.twitter.com/l2DZKmzWwO
— CBS Sports Golazo
GOAL! Man United 1-1 (2-2 agg.) Real Sociedad: Bruno makes it look easy from the spot (16')
Manchester United level the tie after Bruno Fernandes buries it from the penalty spot pic.twitter.com/l1g5KAvBdr
— CBS Sports Golazo
PENALTY! Hojlund denied from point-blank range, but ref says foul (14')
What an insane start to this second leg, as Hojlund is fouled almost identically to the one at the other end just minutes earlier. A lifeline, and a bit of noise inside Old Trafford.
GOAL! Man United 0-1 (1-2 agg.) Real Sociedad: Oyarzabal sends Onana the wrong way (10')
Mikel Oyarzabal fires Real Sociedad ahead from the spot to stun Old Traffordpic.twitter.com/5l5ICf0RMc
— CBS Sports Golazo
PENALTY! De Ligt catches Oyarzabal trying to block a cross (9')
Disaster strikes early for Man United, but there is little argument to be made that De Ligt didn't foul Oyarzabal, who will take the spot pick.
Manchester United starting lineup
Onana - Mazraoui, De Ligt, Heaven - Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu - Zirkzee, Garnacho, Hojlund
Real Sociedad starting lineup
Remiro - Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz - Zubimendi, Marin, Mendez - Becker, Kubo, Oyarzabal
How to watch Manchester United vs Real Sociedad live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 4pm ET Thursday
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV Channel/Streaming: Paramount+
United are yet to lose in their Europa League run and a win here would move Amorim and his men closer to a final. They've not lost in regulation over their last five games, drawing the first leg as well as Premier League ties with Everton and Arsenal. The Red Devils lost to Fulham in penalties after a 1-1 fifth-round FA Cup match at Old Trafford, too.
La Real are on a four-match winless run including the first leg as well as a Copa del Rey first leg loss to Real Madrid and La Liga losses to Barcelona and Sevilla.
Ex-West Ham man Nayef Aguerd has been strong for West Ham's back line, while midfielder Martin Zubimendi is one of the best in the world. There's talent in the attack but results haven't followed Orri Oskarson, Sheraldo Becker, Takefusa Kubo, Mikel Oyarzabal, and crew.
Manchester United team news, focus
OUT: Leny Yoro (foot), Mason Mount (thigh), Jonny Evans (lower back), Luke Shaw (foot), Lisandro Martinez (torn ACL - MORE), Altay Bayindir (undisclosed), Patrick Dorgu (suspension), Kobbie Mainoo (undisclosed), Amad Diallo (ankle - out for season) | QUESTIONABLE: Harry Maguire (lower back)
Real Sociedad team news, focus
OUT: Luka Sucic (muscular) | QUESTIONABLE: Arsen Zakharyan (thigh), Alvaro Odriozola (muscular), Jon Aramburu (unspecified), Jon Pacheco (muscular)
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad prediction
Real Sociedad have the talent to pull this off, as their defending has been pretty decent this season and United have been unreliable in the attacking third. Bruno Fernandes versus Martin Zubamendi is the highlight of a midfield battle which should go a long way toward determining the winner. Level terms feel likely over 90 and maybe even 120 minutes. Manchester United 1-1 (5-4 pens) Real Sociedad.
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